Portillo's Plans Get First Look

Portillo's has an aggressive timeline to open in New Lenox, and it took the first step Tuesday by getting approval from the village's Plan Commission.

Despite a few deviations from village code that concerned a couple residents, the commission voted to recommend that Portillo's receive a special use. The Village Board will discuss the development at its next meeting, which is at 7 p.m. Monday, April 9 at . 

The restaurant would open in the final outlot of the  and  development off Route 30, just west of .

Mayor Tim Baldermann previously said getting Portillo's to New Lenox was "a big win," and that's in part because other businesses avoided the oddly shaped 2-acre lot.

Getting Portillo's to fit in that spot required some creative site planning, including parking spaces a bit smaller than village code requires and a two-lane drive-thru.

"We have a commitment to value, service, food and being a good member of the community," said Susan Shelton, general counsel for the Portillo Group. "We're excited about becoming a part of your community."

About 10 interested residents came to the meeting, which was also attended by Village Administrator Kurt Carroll and economic development director Nancy Hoehn.

To create a buffer between the restaurant and residents directly to the west, Portillo's plans to install a 2-foot retaining wall with a 6-foot fence on top of it. Shrubs will also be planted along the fence that will grow to at least 10 feet.

Still, some residents didn't think that suffices.

"That sound wall is not going to be enough," said Helen Martin, who lives in the home immediately west of the lot. "Right now we see the lights from Chili's and hear the sounds from Chili's."

Frank Costello of the Wellington Townhouse Association also spoke to ask questions about trash pickup, hours and the sound from the drive-thru. Shelton said the restaurant would be open at 10:30 a.m. every day and close at 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 or 9:30 on Sundays. 

Portillo's made some concessions to ease the burden on residents. The restaurant originally proposed having a sign on the west side of the building but is taking that out of the plans. The menu board is also being reduced in height to meet village code.

"It's staff's opinion that this creatively and efficiently uses the property, and it will be in the public interest," village planner Jeff Smith said, adding that the slight deviations from village code are justified.