South Cook News

City of Palos Heights Planning and Zoning Committee met Sept. 23

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

CALL TO ORDER

Chairman Scully called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. on September 23, 2025. In attendance were: Chairman Scully, Alderman Lewandowski and Alderman McGrogan. Also in attendance were Assistant City Administrator Aimee Ingalls, Recording Secretary Morgan Pukula and 9 guests.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Alderman Lewandowski motioned to approve the planning and zoning committee meeting minutes from August 26, 2025, seconded by Alderman Scully. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

a. DOCKET 2025 03: A petition filed by Abdelkhaliq Qasem. A motion of recommendation to allow an urgent care facility to operate as a special use within the premises located at 11900 S. Harlem Avenue, and contained within the following PIN: 23-25-204-003-0000.

Alaa Qasem and Abdelkhaliq Qasem were both in attendance to speak on behalf of the urgent care facility. Currently, they have the Elite Med Urgent Care facility in Hickory Hills and would like to expand to the Palos Heights area. They stated, they would primarily focus on the urgent care side of the business but Dr. Qasem can and will take routine patients. The facility would include urgent care and primary care services. The hours for the facility would be 9am-10pm with the busiest hours being around 3 pm, and 8-10 pm. The average time a patient is at the facility is 26 minutes, depending on the severity of the case.

Dr. Qasem is a resident of Palos Heights and plans on being the lead physician at both facilities with physician/medical assistants and nurse practitioners to assist.

The aldermen inquired about insurance the facility will accept: which includes all carriers besides United Healthcare. Parking in the lot was also brought up as a concern. The lack of parking currently is due to the already established, successful businesses.

The aldermen spoke about an agreement or pilot program the city can put in place in order to offset the sales tax going from a zoned B to a B1. The city has done this before with other businesses in town.

Resident, Eamonn Sheehan spoke against the urgent care facility. It was stated that the space should be saved for a business who will bring in tax revenue to the city and recommended the business go along Route 83 where there are other vacancies. It was also stated there would be an issue with parking.

Resident, Barbara Hardt also opposed the urgent care facility. It was mentioned that the space should also be used for a retail tax business. It was stated that the urgent care facility should not be open until 10 pm.

Alderman McGrogan motioned to approve the allowance of an urgent care facility to operate as a special use within the premises located at 11900 S. Harlem Avenue, and contained within the following PIN: 23-25-204-003-0000, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. On a voice vote, the motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

ADJOURN

There being no further business, Alderman McGrogan motioned to adjourn, seconded by Alderman Lewandowski. All in favor and motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:03 pm.

https://palosheights.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_10282025-1269