New life for downtown Des Plaines townhouse proposal
A plan to build townhouses near downtown Des Plaines is getting another look after being previously rejected by the city council.
Lexington Homes plans to submit a revised proposal to develop 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. In January, the council unanimously denied the developer's request to change zoning from central business district commercial use to residential. Among the concerns of aldermen, they said there wasn't enough parking, the masonry was insufficient, and they favored a retail usage.
But Lexington has since decreased the number of townhouse units from 62 to 58, increased the number of guest parking spots from 10 to 30, and promised to increase masonry on the front of building facades.
Mayor Matt Bogusz cast a tiebreaking vote at a meeting this week to return Lexington's proposal to the plan commission for review before it eventually gets a final hearing before the city council.