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September 9, 2021

Location of new, temporary Covid testing site in Huntley
Brandon L McBryde
Location of new, temporary Covid testing site in Huntley

News • September 9, 2021

Village of Huntley approves a temporary COVID-19 testing site

By

HUNTLEY – At the Aug. 26 Village Board meeting, a business known as the Center for COVID Control presented a proposal asking the village to allow the operation of a temporary COVID-19 testing site within the Union Special parking lot 1 of the Union Special Plaza.

A Center for COVID Control representative stated that as of current, they operate approximately 90 testing sites throughout the Chicagoland area and in other states.

Their nearest testing site to Huntley is located on Randall Road in Algonquin behind Wendy’s.

Like at the Algonquin location, the Center for COVID Control will be setting up a mobile office in Huntley which will operate in a drive-through format.

Upon arrival to the site, individuals will be given a free COVID-19 nasopharyngeal self-swab regardless of insurance status.

Director of Development Services Charles Nordman explained that the Center for COVID Control required a special use permit approval from the Board of Trustees due to the location of the testing site being zoned as “B-2.”

“They are requesting permission to operate at the location for up to 12 months. So, the property that they’re proposing to locate is located in the ‘B-2’ zoning district. Medical laboratories are allowed in the ‘B-2’ zoning districts, however, they are required to operate within a wholly enclosed building,” said Nordman. “In this case, a temporary structure is not allowed to serve as a medical laboratory or testing site or anything that’s not listed specifically within the zoning ordinance.”

Nordman went further to explain that village staff recommended approval only if three conditions were met.

“First [is] the location and surrounding areas shall be kept clean of all trash and maintained in good condition at all times. Two being the temporary use [permit] shall expire one year from today so Aug. 26, 2022, and finally condition three, a sign permit shall be required for any signage they’re proposing to locate on the building or the structure or within the property,” Nordman said.

With the site expecting to serve approximately 30 to 50 individuals per day, Trustee Harry Leopold expressed concern about the number of traffic disruptions that might occur at one of the proposed entrances.

“I don’t think we should have them enter and exit off Route 47. That’s too much traffic going through there for that entrance and exit. They should only enter and exit off of [Borden] Street,” Leopold said.

Trustee Niko Kanakaris suggested for the Center for COVID Control to put signage at the corner of the Route 47 entrance to direct traffic towards the Borden Street entrance.

Village President Tim Hoeft told the petitioner that a mobile office would not fit within the village’s design parameters if the Centers for COVID Control decides to stay long term.

“I think my only thing would be I don’t mind trying it for a year as a short-term deal, but if this is going to become permanent in any way, I mean I hate to tell you, I’m not picking on you, it’s just your mobile mini doesn’t meet our design guidelines,” Hoeft said. “So, I understand if you want to see for a temporary basis if it’s needed, wanted that’s fine. But I would say after a year, if you’re going to continue, I would strongly consider looking into doing a storefront.”

The petitioner agreed to look into a storefront option for Huntley once the date of their permit expiration approaches.

Following discussions, the Village Board voted on the motion to approve of a special use permit for the operation of a temporary Center for COVID prevention testing site. The motion passed unanimously.

Appointments are not needed at this testing site. The site will be administering RT-PCR COVID-19 tests with the results being emailed to individuals within 48 to 72 hours. Individuals may also opt to perform a rapid COVID-19 antigen test, which would have results within 15 minutes.

A $100 fee will apply to those needing an expedited RT-PCR COVID test. Due to an increase in volume, the Center for COVID Control states that expedited results will be completed by 11 a.m. instead of the usual 9 a.m.

The Huntley area testing site location will be opened daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.