Members of Des Plaines’ Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals met in joint session recently and unanimously endorsed a development plan for the downtown area.
Both panels recommended the approval of seven zoning variances requested by the project’s developer, LR Development Co., but also recommended that the company reduce the project’s overall density. The recommendations will be considered at an August meeting of the City Council.
Zoning Board member Gregory Johnson said the project’s two eight-story condominium buildings, totaling 182 units, seemed “pretty dense” for downtown Des Plaines.
“Economics dictate what we have to live with if a project like this is going to work,” said Des Plaines Economic Development Director Jack Klaus.
The $19 million downtown plan also calls for a four-story, 80,000-square-foot library; a parking garage; and two retail buildings with a combined 40,000 square feet of floor space.
David Dresdner, spokesman for Chicago-based LR Development, told officials that about half of the retail space had been tentatively leased to a medical office, convenience store and restaurant.
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Community Development Director Mike D’Onofrio said construction of the library is to begin in December and wrap up in March 2000. Construction of the residential and retail buildings is to start in June 1999, he said.