Title/Name/Summary
Costco Wholesale - 9915 W. 159th Street - Appearance Review for installation of bollards
History
QUICKFACTS
Project
Costco #647 Orland Park - 9915 W 159th Street - Bollards
Legistar ID: 2026-0371
Project ID: BPC-26-0111
Petitioner
Amy Hart, Authorized Agent for Costco Wholesale
Applicant
Essential Construction Maintenance Services LLC
Purpose
The petitioner is proposing installation of new bollards at the building entrance of Costco #647 at 9915 W. 159th Street. The Appearance Review application describes the work as installation of 23 new bollards at the building entrance.
Requested Action: Appearance Review
Project Attributes
Address: 9915 W 159th Street, Orland Park, IL 60467
Building Size: 151,383 square feet
Comprehensive Plan Planning District: Regional Core
Comprehensive Land Use Designation: Costco
Existing Zoning: BIZ- General Business
Existing Land Use: Commercial / Retail
Surrounding Land Use:
North: OS - Open Space, R-4 - Residential, & COR - Mixed Use
South: R-3 - Residential
East: E-1 - Estate Residential
West: OS - Open Space
BACKGROUND
The petitioner submitted an Appearance Review application for exterior improvements at Costco #647, identifying the work as a building exterior change. The application materials indicate the project involves installation of bollards at the primary entrance area.
Additional permit materials show that revised permit plans were prepared by MG2 Architecture for “Exterior Bollard Installation” at the subject property. The submitted plan set was reviewed for code compliance by the Village Building Division under Permit No. BPC-26-0111, dated March 23, 2026.
A March 11, 2026 letter from MG2 further states that the contractor was to apply for both the building permit and zoning permit and coordinate with the Village Building Division regarding permit requirements.
DETAILED PLANNING DISCUSSION
Per Section 5-106 of the Land Development Code, the Appearance Review process is intended to maintain and enhance the appearance of existing development through administrative review of minor site and exterior building changes, while confirming conformance with applicable Code requirements and maintaining harmony with surrounding community character.
The submitted application identifies the work as a building exterior improvement on a non-residential property. The Appearance Review guide also indicates that commercial properties proposing building exterior or accessory structure modifications are subject to Appearance Review.
The revised permit plan set identifies the project as Exterior Bollard Installation at Costco #647, located at 9915 W. 159th Street. The TS101 title sheet/site plan notes that the project consists of installation of 23 new bollards at the building entrance, and further states that there is no change to egress and that the total building area remains unchanged at 151,383 square feet.
Staff notes that there are 23 new, red-colored bollards and notes labels indicating Key Note 1 as “Install bollard per details 20/TS101 - 23 qty.”
The site plan shows the bollards located along the building entrance frontage near the pedestrian area. The plan also notes minimum 4-foot clear areas in the entrance zone, indicating that the installation is being designed around pedestrian movement and access.
Because the proposed work is limited to protective bollards at the existing entrance and does not expand the building or substantially alter the façade composition, the overall change is relatively minor in visual scope. However, the bollards will become a permanent exterior feature at one of the most visible portions of the building and therefore warrants an Appearance Review.
The typical bollard detail in the submitted plan set shows a plastic sleeve over a 6-inch steel post filled solid with concrete, with a 1-foot diameter concrete footing. The detail also shows the bollard extending above existing paving with embedded footing below grade.
In staff’s opinion, permanent bollards at the main entrance are an appropriate protective and functional site feature for a large retail entrance of this nature. The proposed installation appears utilitarian and consistent with similar safety improvements commonly found at major commercial entrances. Based on the submitted materials, the work does not materially change the building, architectural style, or site circulation pattern.
The project general notes state that construction activities shall not affect owner operations. The notes also require repair or replacement of damaged work and compliance with applicable codes.
Subsequent to the original Appearance Review submittal, the petitioner submitted a revised permit plan set dated April 30, 2026, which removes two (2) previously proposed bollards from the entrance plan. The updated TS101 Title Sheet & Site Plan now states that the project consists of the installation of 21 new bollards at the building entrance, rather than the higher quantity shown on the earlier plan set. The revised plan also continues to indicate that there is no change to egress and maintains the accessible route clearance notes at the entrance. Staff finds that this revision reduces the overall scope of the exterior improvement and does not alter the general appearance review finding that the bollard installation remains appropriate for the site.
Recommended Action/Motion
The Appearance Review for Costco #647 Orland Park, case number 2026-0371, received April 7, 2026, is recommended for administrative approval, subject to the following conditions:
1. A building permit must be obtained from the Village’s Building Department prior to initiating work.
2. The work shall be completed in substantial conformance with the submitted revised permit plans for the Exterior Bollard Installation project prepared by MG2 Architecture.
3. Prior to permit issuance or inspection closeout, the petitioner shall reconcile the discrepancy in the submitted bollard count. The approved work shall reflect either the 23 bollards shown on the revised permit plans or a revised plan/application set approved by staff.
4. The bollards shall be installed in accordance with the submitted typical detail, including footing and sleeve/post construction, unless otherwise approved by the Building Division.
5. Any damaged paving, striping, sidewalk, or adjacent site features affected by construction shall be restored to preconstruction condition.
6. The petitioner shall meet all Building Code and Land Development Code requirements.
7. The work shall be completed in substantial conformance with the revised permit plans dated April 30, 2026, prepared by MG2 Architecture, reflecting installation of 21 bollards at the building entrance.