Rolling Meadows aldermen favor rowhomes for Dominick's site
Rolling Meadows aldermen Tuesday took the first step in rezoning most of the former Dominick's property in the city's downtown, paving the way for a 113-rowhouse development.
In a first reading tally, the city council voted 5-2 to rezone the rear 9.5-acre portion of the site at 2819-2915 Kirchoff Road from commercial to residential. Ryan Homes has that land under contract with plans to construct Meadows Square, a development of three-story rowhomes with three bedrooms and built-in garages priced in the high-$200,000 to mid-$300,000 range.
Owner Clark Street Development plans to retain the front 1.5-acre portion for commercial users - potentially as many as two restaurants or several smaller retailers.
Greg Pacelli of Colliers International, which has been marketing the entire 11-acre site for Clark Street, told the council there hasn't been interest from developers in locating more commercial uses there.
A number of aldermen who supported the plan said they'd prefer most if not all of the site to remain commercial but believe the market wouldn't support it.
"As much as any of us want retail in there, it doesn't seem realistic like it's gonna happen," said Alderman Mike Cannon, who called the Ryan Homes plan "a viable opportunity."
Since Dominick's closed in 2004, the site has struggled to generate economic activity. The council previously approved a plan for townhouses, apartments and retail, but that project never got off the ground. Aldermen later rejected a proposed senior housing community.
Aldermen who voted in favor Tuesday were Cannon, Laura Majikes, Robert Banger Jr., John D'Astice and Tim Veenbaas. Joe Gallo, of Ward 4 where the property is located, voted "no," along with Nick Budmats, who said he would likely change his vote when Ryan Homes makes its final submittal.
Aldermen Tuesday formally considered only a preliminary application for 115 townhouses and two .73-acre commercial lots, though a revised plan is expected to call for 113 homes and two .8-acre lots. That means three more council votes are planned, plus another hearing before the planning and zoning commission.
Though he doesn't get to vote, Mayor Len Prejna said he favors commercial uses for half the site and townhouses for the other half. The current townhouse proposal, he said, is too dense.