Townhomes could replace Wheeling shopping center

A failing shopping center built to serve Wheeling's Arlington Club subdivision more than 30 years ago could soon give way to what developers are calling urban townhouses.

The Wheeling village board heard a presentation Monday from Chicago-based Lexington Homes on a proposed 55-unit townhouse development they'd like to build on 3.69 acres after demolishing the shopping center.

"This was developed in the 80s and Lexington built the entire Arlington Club development," Lexington Vice President Bill Rotolo said. "This little center on Dundee and Huntington, I don't want to say it was an afterthought, but it is not the best location for retail in this area."

Rotolo said the shopping center is 60 percent vacant. The property, currently zoned as commercial land, would have to be rezoned before it is developed as townhouses.

The proposed three-story townhouses would cost an average $330,000, and wood flooring and granite countertops would come standard in each unit.

"These are relatively upscale townhouses," Rotolo said.

It's unclear yet whether residents of the proposed development would be able to use the pool and other amenities at Arlington Club.

Rotolo says the townhouses are geared toward professional working couples in their 30s and 40s.

"These units are not really designed for children, they don't have any yards," he said. "They're not for older people because there's a lot of stairs."

Village President Dean Argiris suggested Lexington build the end-cap units as ranches so that they are more attractive to seniors.

"There's a market here for that," Argiris said. "We're losing people in this community ... who are going to old bedroom communities because of the ranch homes, not because they want to leave here."

Trustee Ray Lang asked whether a strictly residential development was the best deal for the village.

"What works better for the village, the sales tax and property tax we're getting now, or just plain old property tax?" Lang asked.

He suggested Lexington consider making the land mixed-use, with room for retail and residential units.

Rotolo said with the $2.7 million the property is in debt, residential zoning is the best bet in closing the gap.

Several trustees also were concerned with density of the proposed development.

"I agree with some of my colleagues' comments that 55 seems pretty dense for 3.69 acres, not a whole lot of green space here," Trustee Mary Kreuger said. "Seems like a lot of vinyl siding here and that's just not something that's in our master plan."

Trustee Ken Brady asked Lexington to keep working on the townhouses' exterior aesthetic.

"I want to see some more pizazz on these buildings. I don't want to see vinyl siding, I want to see some more brick and I want to see some features on it," he said. "This is right on Dundee Road, make it look attractive."

Despite trustees' concerns, all agreed to consider plans from Lexington Homes at a future meeting.