Mokena May Do Something About the Prices on Gas Station Signs

Don't like the prices on Mokena's gas station signs? Those could change soon.

Unfortunately, the village can't lower gas prices.

But a new zoning ordinance under consideration would change what a gas station sign can look like. For example, the price for regular unleaded would be in red lights and the price for diesel in green. The signs would only show gas prices and not cigarette prices.

That's just one aspect of potential changes to village codes reviewed by the Mokena Village Board during a work session Monday evening.

Another change would legally define a pawn shop and allow such shops to establish in commercially zoned areas and in light industrial areas with a special use permit.

A proposed change in tobacco licensing would establish two separate licenses, a category "A" and category "B". A licenses would be given to any business that sells tobacco products but does not rely on those sales for its sole income. For example, gas stations, liquor stores, and convenience stores would be in this category. B licenses would go to specialty tobacco shops and would require the businesses to not allow anyone under 18 into the shop.

And a proposed amusement license change would be the first since 1969, according to Alan Zordan, director of economic and community development. Amusement license regulations would be amended to include Redbox video rental machines and other electronic arcade-style machines. These machines would also be formally allowed to operate 24 hours a day.

The village is also proposing a "one owner, one meter" ordinance. Essentially, for new construction, this would allow one public water meter for the entire building and the tenants would pay their share to the owner(s). It is intended for businesses to make sure the village does not lose money.

"The owner of a strip mall with a hair salon on one end and another store on the other could allocate the water bill accordingly," said Mayor Joseph Werner, who is also a plumbing contractor. "Properties I work for ask me to put in one meter for five or six outlets all the time."

The proposed changes could come up for a vote in June.