Driving School Plans Opening Across From L-W Central

The , which already has one location in New Lenox, is eyeing a second spot closer to  to perhaps pull in business from those young drivers.

During Monday's Village Board meeting, trustees were presented with an ordinance to grant a special use permit to the driving school, which would allow it in the Hickory Creek Shopping Plaza. 

The A-Orland Driving School is interested in moving into the shopping center, giving it a location closer to Central students. The current location is off Laraway and Nelson roads, closer to , and it also operates through .

It would occupy the western-most space in the strip mall, which once housed Curves. 

Mayor Tim Baldermann said he doesn't oppose the plan, but cautioned owner Dan O'Connell to be wary of the hazards the area holds, especially because of the Route 30 widening project. 

"It's a very busy parking lot as it is," Baldermann said. "And for the next two years, unfortunately, there's going to be a lot of construction. It's not the most ideal place for a beginning driver."

None of the trustees voiced opposition, and Dave Smith said he liked the program. 

"My son went through the program, and I wish they had been (by Central) then," he said. "It's a great program."

Previously, village trustees Annette Bowden and Dave Butterfield questioned the amount of parking needed for the driving school, but village planning administrator Robin Ellis said it wouldn't be an issue.

The school typically only uses a couple of cars, Ellis said, and uses a system in which parents drop off their children, and then the children drive themselves home so an instructor can return the car. That prevents cars stacking up while waiting for lessons to finish.

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