DeKalb won’t see development on Lincoln Highway and Greek Row anytime soon.

At Monday night’s city council meeting, it was voted unanimously to reject a special use permit for a Road Ranger gas station and convenience store next to Copy Service, 1005 W. Lincoln Highway.

Marc Strauss, general counsel for First Rockford Group and the developing company for Road Ranger, said the plan was approved by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Third Ward Alderman Steve Kapitan wanted clarification on how much traffic the gas station would cause compared to Road Ranger, located at 1734 Sycamore Road.

Strauss said the traffic count was 450 cars per day, which was given to the Planning Commission.

Richard McMann, representative of Ranger Enterprises, said Road Ranger traffic counts are higher on Sycamore Road than would be on Lincoln Highway because of commuter students coming in, despite the proposed Road Ranger having two more gas islands.

Fifth Ward Alderman Patrick Conboy said the convenience store or small grocery, which will come with the gas station, would generate more traffic in itself. David Baker, 6th Ward Alderman and owner of Copy Service, also expressed concern with traffic and entry ways.

This is not the first time a special use permit was rejected for the property. Community Development Director Paul Rasmussen said that it is a really hard location to develop.

The council also voted unanimously to send back a special permit request for maximum occupancy on the property located on 115 Annie Glidden Road, to the Plan Commission for further discussion. Seventh Ward Alderman Joe Sosnowski expressed concern over parking problems that could overflow if the plan was approved. He said he didn’t want to revisit traffic problems four years from now because of the plan. DeKalb resident Brad Rubeck said he would come back to the council and ask that additional units be proposed.

Baker also took the floor and said that any change in zoning would change parking needs in the area. Two parking spaces are provided for one-bedroom apartments on his property, and he said this is at a time when revitalization for Greek Row is wanted and this would be increasing overflow.

The council did vote 6-1 for a special use permit for a bagel and coffee shop with a drive-through for 3200 Sycamore Road.