A zoning change which would allow Jewel Food Store, 1320 Sycamore Road in DeKalb, to construct a truck turnaround behind the store was approved by the DeKalb City Council last night.

The zoning change will convert adjacent property to the rear of Jewel from a single family dwelling district to a general commercial district. Since the zoning change was approved, Jewel will be permitted to build a truck turnaround behind the store so trucks would not need to use 13th street.

Oren Galbraith, a spokesman for Jewel, said the store is still negotiating with the owner of the property behind Jewel on a purchase or lease agreement. The owner has set a price, but Jewel has not yet approved the purchase. He said the turnaround is “acceptable” if Jewel buys the land.

Another option open to Jewel is the reconfiguration of a proposed second driveway on 13th street. Trucks would come into Jewel on Oakwood Avenue and exit on 13th street.

Seventh Ward Alderman Steven Brody said he was “a little queasy” about voting for the zoning change because the city does not have a contract with Jewel specifying what will be done with the property now that the change has been approved.

“My understanding was that there was going to be a binding agreement that would hold them (Jewel) to the development of the property in the way it’s been represented to us,” Brody said.

City Manager Mark Stevens said Jewel described its plans for the property in a letter dated July 27. He said “stipulations or conditions” attached to a zoning approval cannot be legally enforced.

Gary Cordes, attorney for Jewel, said the store would consider its plans presented to the city “binding.” He said the council should consider the “relative gain to the public” as opposed to the “relatively minimal” problem with residents in the area.

In other business, the council also passed an ordinance re-creating the position of assistant city manager. Stevens appointed Gary Boden to the new position.

The council also approved a request by Stevens for $19,720 to fund merit increases for city management employees. The funds will be used to grant merit increases ranging from $689 to $2,537 for 15 management employees.

An ordinace restricting parking on Park Avenue and Thornbrook Road located northeast of NIU also was passed by the council. Parking will be restricted to one side of Park between Miller Avenue and Thornbrook road and on Thornbrook between Park and Linden Place from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.