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Des Plaines residents speak out about O'Hare Lake plans

Des Plaines residents who live next to the O'Hare Lake office complex are opposing development plans that could include buildings as tall as 165 feet just over their backyard fences.

An ambitious development proposal from O'Hare Lake owner Robert Kozonis calls for as many as four 10-story office towers, five 11-story residential towers around Lake Peterson, two 9-story hotel towers facing Devon Avenue, and four levels of retail below the hotels.

The O'Hare Lake office complex at 2200 E. Devon Ave. is currently zoned as a limited office commercial district, allowing for building heights up to 45 feet. Kozonis has sought zoning changes that would allow buildings to go as high as 165 feet.

The city's plan commission this week recommended that the city council create a new “high density campus commercial” zoning district, sought by Kozonis, that would allow for office, hotel and residential uses on the 52-acre site. But commissioners also recommended that any new buildings within the O'Hare Lake development that are adjacent to existing homes — primarily on the west side of the site — include additional setback distances from property lines.

For instance, a building 55 feet high would have to be 30 feet away from the property line.

Residents who spoke during Monday's plan commission meeting live on Craig Drive, where backyards abut the O'Hare Lake property.

Rich Einecker, who has lived there for 23 years, said he was concerned with the proposed density of the development — specifically the potential for residential buildings that he believes would increase traffic throughout the neighborhood.

“I've been real happy with office complex,” Einecker said. “One of the nice things is when I'm not there, they're there. When I'm home, they're gone.”

Robert Soch, another neighbor, agreed.

“The existing building doesn't bother me, but if I'm gonna look out and see a monstrosity of a building there, it's not going to be too pleasing for property values,” he said.

Rick Fawell, the project architect, said residents to the west would have “light and ventilation” because of the placement of buildings, which would be facing north and south.

Bruce Huvard, Kozonis' attorney, also tried to assuage concerns about shadows forming on the houses to the west of O'Hare Lake.

“I'm an advocate for the petitioner, but a well-conceived, beautifully-realized building is nice to look at if it's not shading me and blocking my view of air and light,” Huvard told commissioners and residents. “I know it's a change for people living in the neighborhood, but from what's there right now, I think it would be an improvement.”

Officials have said it could take up to 20 years for the entire development to come to fruition as part of a phased approach.

“The drawings are illustrative of what could happen with these (zoning) standards,” Huvard said. “This gives us a wonderful matrix for what can be developed on the site. When we go out to the market and talk to corporations ... this is the concept that potentially could be implemented here.”

Monday marked the second time Kozonis and his representatives were before the plan commission to ask for zoning changes for the development. Last October, they sought the creation of an “eco campus commercial zoning district,” in which specific projects, as they are developed, would only have required the review of the city's director of community and economic development — and not the plan commission and city council.

Since then, Kozonis' team altered their proposal, in consultation with city staff, who recommended changes before the plan comes to the city council for consideration.

The council is expected to consider the proposed zoning changes next month.

11 tall towers near Rivers Casino

  The O'Hare Lake office complex on Devon Avenue in Des Plaines is where owner Robert Kozonis is proposing a mixture of offices, hotels and residential buildings, but some neighbors to the west are upset with the potential impacts of the development. George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com, September 2008
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