Arlington Heights approves redevelopment of former industrial land

The Arlington Heights village board Monday approved a vision for redevelopment in the Hickory Kensington area of town, which could include a mix of residential and commercial uses in coming years.

The area, bounded by Northwest Highway, Dryden Avenue, Miner Street and Belmont Avenue, originally was developed as industrial space, but it has seen some retail and residential revival in recent years with a new Walgreens, Mariano’s Fresh Market and Arlington Crossing townhouses.

The plan, approved by a 6-3 vote, would continue in that wave, with possible rezoning for part of the area to become residential. That would allow for more apartments, townhouses or senior housing, said Bill Enright, deputy director of planning and community development.

Enright said the village wants to take advantage of the area’s proximity to the train station and downtown.

“Any redevelopment process like this will take a long time; the downtown took a long time,” he said.

Funding for the redevelopment may have to come in the form of a new tax increment financing district, which the village would need to establish later, Enright said.

Several residents of the Arlington Crossing townhouses voiced support for the project, but asked the village to reject mid- or high-rise buildings near their homes in the former Arlington Market. The board agreed and amended the original plan, keeping those buildings no higher than four stories.

“We do like the plan as a whole; we do like the idea of developing that area with some commercial use so we could walk to restaurants and shopping and make that area look nice,” resident Tony Pacione said.

Developers that would want to come into the area would still need to go though approval processes and public hearings.

Another recommendation from village staff is to reopen and reconstruct Campbell Street from Beverly Lane to Hickory Avenue.

The full plan with goals and recommendations can be read on the village website.