Title/Name/Summary:
Orland Park Crossing/Heritage Square Plaza - 9420 W. 143rd Street - Appearance Review for connection of parking lots
History:
The subject parcel, located at 9400 W. 143rd Street in Orland Park, has historically been used for commercial purposes. Records describe the site as a 1.40-acre, single-story, freestanding retail building constructed in 1986, with approximately 10,000 square feet of gross leasable area.
Over time, the property has continued to serve retail and restaurant functions. Also, nearby addresses in the 143rd Street corridor remain commercial in nature, supporting the retail-oriented context of the parcel.
As part of the current petition, the owner seeks Appearance Review approval to connect to the adjacent parcel directly to the west-presumably to support expansion or shared use between properties.
Quick facts -
Project: Orland Park Crossing/Heritage Square Plaza - 9420 W. 143rd Street - Appearance Review for connection of parking lots
Petitioner: Edwards Realty Company
Petitioner Contact: Kyle Treglown
Purpose: Connection of the Heritage Square Plaza parking lot to the Orland Park Crossing parking lot.
Project Attributes:
Address: 9420 W. 143rd Street
P.I.N.(s): 27-03-300-031-0000 (adjoining P.I.N. is 27-03-300-016-0000)
Size: 60,553 square feet
Comprehensive Plan Planning District: Downtown
Comprehensive Land Designation: Downtown Mixed Use
Existing Zoning: VCD - Village Corridor District
Surrounding Land Use:
North: VCD - Village Corridor District
South: VCD - Village Corridor District
East: VCD - Village Corridor District, RSB - Residential and Supporting Business, & OS - Open Space
West: VCD - Village Corridor District
PROJECT DESCRIPTION & DETAILED PLANNING DISCUSSION
The petitioner proposes to connect the Heritage Square Plaza parking lot to the Orland Park Crossing parking lot immediately to the west. The scope of work includes:
• Removal of sections of existing landscape islands and curbs along the western edge of the Heritage Square Plaza parking lot, as well as corresponding curbwork on the eastern edge of the Orland Park Crossing lot, to create a continuous vehicular and pedestrian connection.
• Regrading to match existing grades, installation of new asphalt pavement and striping to provide seamless drive aisle continuity.
• Extension or modification of drainage inlets and underground piping as required to maintain proper stormwater management.
• Installation of pavement markings and traffic signage to clearly define internal flow between the two lots.
• Coordination with existing drive aisles to ensure safe, efficient internal circulation and minimize disruptions to current lot operations.
• The new connection will establish a shared drive aisle with a minimum clear width of 24 feet for two-way traffic, as specified in Figure 6-306(C) of the Off-Street Parking Code, ensuring that each parking space maintains direct and unobstructed access in compliance with Section 6-306. C.2.
• Relocation of the existing dumpster currently positioned within the proposed connection area to a location adjacent to the existing dumpster enclosure to the southwest of the building, in accordance with Section 6-310.F of the Land Development Code, which requires dumpsters to be located within an enclosed area designed to minimize visual impact and maintain proper screening from adjacent uses and public rights-of-way.
• Removal of two existing trees located in the proposed drive-aisle connection alignment will be necessary. In accordance with Section 6-305 of the Land Development Code, these removals require a Tree Removal Permit, which must be approved by the Public Works Department, and may trigger tree mitigation or replacement requirements such as planting new trees or compensating per the Village’s landscape regulations.
This connection aligns with the Village’s land development standards, specifically Section 6-306. L.4 of the Land Development Code, which states, “Wherever practicable, access drives shall be shared by several uses”.
Recommended Action/Motion
The Appearance Review for Orland Park Crossing/Heritage Square Plaza, case number 2025-0527, as shown in the plan titled: “Appearance Review for connection of parking lots”, submitted on June 25, 2025, has been administratively approved on August 8, 2025, subject to the following conditions:
1. Restore the area to its natural grade and condition.
2. Meet all building code related items.
3. Relocate the existing dumpster currently within the proposed connection area to the approved location adjacent to the existing dumpster enclosure to the southwest of the building, in accordance with Section 6-310.F of the Land Development Code and ensure compliance with screening and enclosure requirements.
4. Prior to removal of any trees, submit a Tree Removal Permit to the Public Works Department. Include a Tree Mitigation Plan per Section 6-305. F.3.f, detailing the trees to be removed and proposed replacement trees with DBH (Diameter at Breast Height) and caliper information. Ensure compliance with heritage and parkway tree replacement standards. For example, If a native canopy tree of 13″-23″ DBH is removed, it must be replaced with 4 trees at 2.5″ or 2 trees at 4″ caliper. If removing non-native trees in the same size range, the requirement is 2 trees at 2.5″ or 1 tree at 4″.
5. Meet all conditions set forth from engineering, which are as follows:
• Provide a dimensioned site plan that shows full extent of the scope of work (which details the grade, curbs, setback from the pond). Site plan that was submitted is not acceptable.
• Proposed drive aisle shall have a minimum width of 24’.
• New curb must be curb & gutter. Follow IDOT standards B6.12 curb or follow the existing curb & gutter shown on the West parcel’s parking lot.
• Provide cross-section detail of the new access showing depth and material being used. Per LDC 6-406, asphalt courses shall be constructed in two courses, not less than 11” thick after compaction. Proposal only calls for 9-10”.
• The change of grade is about ~2’ vertical over ~21’ of horizontal run which indicates a slope greater than 8%. Per Village Land Development Code, driveways must not exceed 8% of grade. Confirm and show that on the plans.
• Indicate how many parking spaces will be removed on both properties and confirm both properties will have adequate number of parking spaces required by the Village Code.
• Indicate on plans the number of trees that are being removed and confirm they are not heritage trees (Note: there are two trees in the connected pathway).
• Existing utilities are located within the scope of work. Has the petitioner reached out to Com Ed, Nicor Gas, or fiber companies regarding this work? This could cause relocations of utilities.
• Attached is the Village Utility Atlas. Show existing 8” water-main on plans and must avoid any damage or impact to the water-main.
• The East parcel says it is owned by “Orland Park Crossing”, not Edwards Realty. Please clarify ownership.