Fresh Thyme Moves Ahead Amid Caution From Board

An ordinance allowing Fresh Thyme Farmers Market to open a store at Cadwell Corners Shopping Center will be presented to the Village Board of Trustees Oct. 21 after Deerfield’s legislative body approved a recommendation from the Plan Commission to move forward at today’s regularly scheduled meeting.

The Trustees unanimously approved a report from the Plan Commission recommending the Village grant Fresh Thyme and the shopping center a special use permit to build the store 28,000 square foot grocery store over objections from several residents whose homes are adjacent to the proposed project.

Eight citizens spoke at the meeting with five voicing opposition and three advocating approval. One of the most often voiced complaints was about potential noise coming from delivery trucks as early as 4 a.m.

“What’s it going to sound like when an 18-wheeler with a refrigeration unit pulls up?” property owner Jiff Bizar said. “The negative effect on the neighborhood is enough to deny it (the special use permit).”

In response to the concern over noise, the ordinance will only permit deliveries between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Any trucks which arrive before that time must wait in front of the store with their engines off.

John Sheldon not only asked the Village to deny the special use permit, but threatened legal action if it is approved. “The most intense kind of a store is a grocery store,” he said. “If the Board approves this, we will have to consider our legal rights.”

Though the plan was approved over the objections of neighboring property owners, Mayor Harriet Rosenthal made it clear Fresh Thyme must hold fast to accommodations it promised and will be memorialized in the ordinance.

“We don’t want the neighbors to feel they have no recourse,” Rosenthal said. “We have the ability to revoke a special use permit if the terms are not met. That will be in the ordinance.” Village Attorney Peter Colbentz assured it would.

Fresh Thyme President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Sherrell said he would be personally involved with compliance. He put a stack of his business cards on the lectern and invited people to contact him if they were dissatisfied.

“I can’t promise it won’t happen but I’ll take care of it if it does,” Sherrell said referring to delivery truck disturbing neighbors. “If it happens again, I’ll take care of it again. These trucks work for us.”

Board Gives Go Ahead to Two Other Businesses and more

The Trustees also approved Plan Commission recommendations and will prepare ordinances granting a special use permit to Pure Barre Fitness Center and Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu along with their landlord, the owners of Deerfield Square.

In another matter, final approval was granted to a 248-unit apartment project near Lake Cook Road and the Tri-State Tollway to Amli Properties.

Patch will have more detailed stories on all of these matters later this week.

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