Lake County Gazette

Rivian will seek a recommendation for approval by the Buffalo Grove Planning and Zoning Commission for its request to open an electric vehicle service station at an Asbury Drive industrial property. The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 1.

According to the Planning and Zoning Commission's agenda for the Oct. 1 meeting, Rivian needed a special use permit in the industrial district for the sale and/or leasing of new and used vehicles at 909 Asbury Drive. The building would serve primarily as an auto service center, as well as a Rivian sales and test drive location. Rivian uses a direct-to-consumer sales and service model with all sales conducted through the company's website. Vehicles are custom-built at the Rivian main plant in Normal, Illinois.

The meeting agenda said that the building's front portion, approximately 5% of the total area, will be reserved for customers' test driving, picking up purchased vehicles, and waiting for service. Rivian has plans for 10 lifts to service vehicles and bays for tire and wheel maintenance, car detailing, and vehicle deliveries. Rivian said its schedule would be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Community Development staff recommended approval of the special use for Rivian subject to several conditions, according to the agenda. The staff's recommendation came because the site has sufficient parking for its proposed use and traffic flow without creating off-street traffic. They said the proposed use is compatible with the surrounding area's industrial uses and proposed improvements will have minimal or no impact on surrounding properties.

The Planning and Zoning Commission's next meeting will be on Oct. 16, according to the village's website. The Village Board Committee of the Whole will meet on Oct. 7, with its regular meeting scheduled on Oct. 21.