The Homewood Village Board approved a special use permit that allows Hertz Corporation to operate a vehicle rental facility at 1149 175th St. at the Jan. 27 meeting. 

According to Homewood Economic and Community Development Director Angela Mesaros, the location is a 1,891-square-foot tenant space within the Homewood Business Center at 1131–1153 W. 175th St. The building is an existing multi-tenant commercial property. The space previously was used as an office and will be renovated to include office areas and an interior vehicle staging space. 

The business will serve as a typical local vehicle rental operation, with rental pick-up and drop-off services. On-site parking for rental vehicles along with 10 parking spaces behind the building for rental vehicles and related use will be provided, Mesaros said. 

Business hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. It will be closed on Sundays. Vehicle drop-off after-hours will be allowed through a key drop box and designated parking spaces, she said. 

Village zoning regulations require one parking space for every 300 square feet of floor area. Based on this location’s size, 18,250 square feet, that would be 62 parking spaces. The property provides 63, therefore meeting requirements, Mesaros said. 

The business will have two employees working on-site and is expected to serve up to 10 people during peak times, including both staff and customers, she said. 

The Homewood Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed the proposal at its Jan. 8 meeting and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the special use permit after complete evaluation, Mesaros said. 

“It’s nice to have a rental car company in town,” Mayor Rich Hofeld said.