North suburban residents concerned warehouse proposal would increase truck traffic near school

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. (WLS) -- Residents in Mount Prospect and Des Plaines are voicing concerns about a proposed warehouse, saying they fear increased truck traffic and potential safety issues near a middle school.

The proposal would allow a 90,000-square-foot warehouse at 1600 Bishop Court in Mount Prospect. The project is being led by 1600 Bishop Partnership LLC, which is affiliated with Wingspan Development Group. Wingspan is owned by the Nicholas Family of Companies, headquartered in the Kensington Business Center.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

The section of Wolf Road, south of Kensington Road, serves as the boundary between Mount Prospect and Des Plaines, and some homeowners on both sides say they have grown frustrated with what they describe as ongoing efforts to protect the safety and quality of life in their neighborhoods.

For Des Plaines resident Mary Beth Stillmaker, the proposal brings back memories of a yearslong battle involving an animal feed business in the same area.

"Prestige Feed came into the building, that gray building over there, and the smell was atrocious," Stillmaker said.

Stillmaker said residents also continue to deal with impacts from an existing warehouse in the corridor.

SEE ALSO: Gov. JB Pritzker moves to pause new agreements for data center tax incentives

"We have a lovely truck terminal that has semi trucks all evening, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 in the morning. Public safety issues with kids going to River Trails in the park district. We can't even get out of our subdivision in the morning," she said.

Coartney Zimmerman, a Mount Prospect resident and mother of three children who attend River Trails Middle School, said she is concerned about how additional truck traffic could affect students who cross nearby roads on their way to and from school.

"I understand from a financial perspective, you know. That could be really beneficial for the broader Mount Prospect community, but not at the cost of safety," Zimmerman said.

Zimmerman and other residents said they are worried about the possibility of increased semi-truck traffic near routes used by sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade students.

In a statement provided to ABC7, Nicholas Family of Companies President Chris Coleman said, "Our proposal is consistent with the design intent and current use of Kensington Business Center and any truck traffic from our facility will utilize existing signalized intersections in and out of the KBC."

Zimmerman said residents remain skeptical because they do not yet know what business could ultimately occupy the warehouse.

"Our voted for government officials aren't willing to do their due diligence to understand what and who this tenant may be and to vet all of the additional things they need to vet," she said.

The Mount Prospect Village Board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday. The property at 1600 Bishop Court is listed on the agenda under new business.

Jason Shallcross, the village's director of community and economic development, said the petitioner's request does not involve rezoning the property. Shallcross said the Village Board is expected to consider the matter at its meeting and will make the final decision on the request.