Lombard Village Board Approves Octane Lounge

The Lombard Village Board has unanimously approved plans for a new membership-based auto storage facility and the accompanying Octane Lounge at the former Pep Boys site along Roosevelt Road.

The project includes storage for up to 29 vehicles and introduces a new business category to the village's zoning code. Before granting approval, the board added several conditions aimed at addressing concerns from nearby residents, including temporary fencing, security cameras, additional signage, and a prohibition on outdoor events at Octane Lounge.

Several residents continued to express concerns about potential noise, increased traffic, and unauthorized vehicle gatherings. The petitioner, Ahmed Khan, and his attorney emphasized that the business will operate primarily indoors and that outdoor car events are not planned. The facility is expected to serve approximately 300–500 members, though not all at the same time.

While some trustees voiced reservations about the location and potential impacts, others noted the business represents a new type of automotive use and appreciated the owner's willingness to work with the village on added safety measures. The board ultimately voted unanimously to approve the project.

Other Village Board Actions

• The Village Board approved a ban on U-turns from the northbound, southbound, and westbound approaches at the intersection of Finley Road and 22nd Street to improve traffic safety.
• Parking will also be prohibited near 951 N. Ridge Avenue after nearby businesses reported that parked trucks and trailers were interfering with operations and contributing to safety concerns in an area prone to flooding.