A proposed conversion of a Bucky’s gas station and convenience store into a Casey’s has won the endorsement of the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission.
Casey’s Retail Co. needs city approval of a conditional use and a zoning variance if it is to move forward with redevelopment of the 40-year-old station at the southeast corner of Ogden Avenue and Washington Street.
Both cleared the commission’s review Wednesday night, and if approved by the Naperville City Council will mean the establishment of a fourth Casey’s gas station/store in Naperville.
A conditional use is issued when a gas station is allowed to open in a B3 general commercial zoning district, and the zoning variance will give the company permission to replace three light poles within the setback of a major roadway.
Casey’s wants to replace the existing Bucky’s convenience store and Mobil service station with a 3,200-square-foot Casey’s convenience store and gas station on the roughly three-quarter-acre site at 20 E. Ogden Ave.
The move comes after Casey’s acquired Bucky’s operator Buchanan Energy. The new store will include a full kitchen to make the pizzas, sandwiches, salads and bakery goods for which the Iowa-based chain is known.
Casey’s already has a presence in Naperville as part of its recent Chicago-area expansion, with stores at Ogden Avenue and Naper Boulevard, Route 59 and 75th Street, and — the newest location to reopen as a Casey’s — Plainfield/Naperville Road and 75th Street.
Ian Spence, civil engineer for the project, said Casey’s will maintain some aspects of the site at Ogden and Washington, including the canopy over the fuel pumps and the underground gas storage tanks. But one of the biggest proposed changes comes for safety reasons.
The company plans to remove one of the three access points to the site — the one along Ogden, closest to its intersection with Washington — “due to safety concerns,” Spence said.
Three planning and zoning commission members, including Mark Wright, who lives nearby, applauded the access point elimination.
“I’m really intrigued by the removal of that first entranceway,” Wright said. “I’ve almost been rear-ended there multiple times. I think it is a real improvement.”
No one spoke in opposition to Casey’s plans, but two residents offered input.
Ray Wileman, who owns two properties on Center Street immediately east of the station site, asked Casey’s to build a taller fence than the 6-foot barrier currently lining the parcel. Spence said Casey’s plans to tear down and replace the existing fence, but did not say at what height.
Gary Leavenworth, a former commission member, agreed with current commissioners’ points about traffic and safety. He said he’s seen drivers make “bonehead moves” to get into the other Casey’s on Ogden in Naperville and called on city staff to carefully review plans for site access.
Marie Wilson is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
