Des Plaines aldermen unanimously reject plan for 62 townhouses
Citing parking concerns and a desire for retail, Des Plaines aldermen have unanimously rejected plans for a 62-unit townhouse development near downtown.
Lexington Homes proposed developing three acres at 783-841 Lee St. on a site that includes the Good News Christian Center, a strip mall and the now-vacant Casa Royale Banquets.
The developer sought a zoning change from central business district commercial use to residential. The city's comprehensive plan calls for high-density mixed-use development on the site.
"This is a bad project, shouldn't be built, (and) doesn't belong downtown," 5th Ward Alderman Jim Brookman said at a council meeting Tuesday. "I don't know how it got this far.
"If we approve this, I think we're making a long-term, permanent decision based on short-term concerns over some vacant storefronts and an economic downturn," he said. "Those things are not permanent. This project, if built, is permanent."
The proposed development, called Lexington Pointe, would have included four rows of townhouse buildings: one fronting Lee Street, one fronting Center Street, and two rows in between. Prices for the 2- and 3-bedroom homes were estimated to start at $300,000.
A number of aldermen raised concerns that the development would have only 10 surface parking spots. Each home would have had an attached 2-car garage.
Bill Rotolo, vice president of Lexington Homes, said the homes would have been marketed to empty-nesters and young professionals who could walk downtown to the Metra station and other amenities. He said Lexington has built similar developments in Arlington Heights, Palatine and Morton Grove.
"If all we could do were units like this, we would do it, because there is a trend and they're that popular," Rotolo said.
Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Walsten, chairman of the community development committee, said he wanted to see development of properties on the site that would produce sales tax revenue - not homes.
Rotolo said there were "fundamental issues" with the Lee Street block - a prime one being it's a one-way street - that don't make it conducive to energetic retail.
"We're not fighters. I don't want to do anything that the city doesn't want," Rotolo said.
"We'll quietly pack our bags and look somewhere else, but I do think you might be making a mistake. I think this kind of development is the spark that could actually increase the activity in your downtown."