Des Plaines alderman says Rosemont 'trying to kill' O'Hare Lake redevelopment
A Des Plaines alderman believes Rosemont officials are trying to quash a $1 billion development of offices, hotels, residential towers and retail spaces on the towns' border, but Rosemont's mayor says he's just trying to represent his constituents.
A number of residents of the Executive Estates condo complex in Rosemont attended a Des Plaines public hearing Monday about proposed zoning changes that could pave the way for a massive redevelopment of the O'Hare Lake office complex across the street at 2200 E. Devon Ave.
Their concerns — from an increase in pedestrian and vehicular traffic to a threat of decreasing property values — were presented at the meeting by William Ryan, a Rosemont attorney who represents the village in real estate matters and also serves as an attorney for the Rosemont Park District.
“This is an enormous, enormous development that this rezoning would allow,” Ryan said. “We request this property not be rezoned.”
Responding to a question from Des Plaines 6th Ward Alderman Mark Walsten, condo board President Luis Hernandez said he contacted Rosemont officials when he heard about the O'Hare Lake proposal.
“I understand the village may not like the idea of some competition; maybe some more hotels because they have several,” said Walsten, whose ward includes O'Hare Lake. “The entertainment district they have, I don't believe Des Plaines ever tried to do anything to stop it. I think we always try to encourage our neighbor to the south to be successful. I'm just a little surprised why it seems (Rosemont) is getting involved in this project trying to kill it.”
The redevelopment proposal 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. O'Hare Lake owner Robert Kozonis' architects and lawyers say it could take up to 20 years for the entire development to come to fruition.
Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens said Tuesday he wants to see redevelopment of O'Hare Lake, but it should be “sensible.” He called the size of the current redevelopment proposal “a little crazy.”
“Could you imagine at 5 o'clock, office towers and a hotel and who knows what kind of traffic developed by residential towers?” Stephens said. “It's not us trying to quash. It's just representing the residents. Believe me, I've got a lot of better things to do than be a fly in the ointment.”
Stephens said he asked Ryan to meet with Executive Estates residents after receiving their phone calls expressing concern about the Des Plaines proposal.
Before Monday, Des Plaines already conducted public hearings and held plan commission and city council meetings on Kozonis' plan to create a new “high-density campus commercial” zoning district, and rezone the office park into that designation. But city officials initially notified only Des Plaines property owners within 300 feet of O'Hare Lake — not everyone within 300 feet, including Rosemont residents.
Des Plaines residents who live west of O'Hare Lake also have expressed concerns about the proposal, including the 165-foot building heights the rezoning would allow.
The city council on March 16 voted 7-1 in favor of the changes in a first reading vote. The council agreed this week to delay a final, second reading vote until May 18, to give the city staff enough time to answer questions from residents.