Schaumburg focuses on what to put around rail line

Schaumburg officials are moving into the final stages of a yearlong planning process for the redevelopment of the area around the future STAR Line rail station, which itself is probably a decade away.

The STAR Line is proposed to connect O'Hare International Airport with suburbs to the west and south. Its Schaumburg station is expected to be in the center of the Northwest Tollway, between the new convention center to the north and IKEA to the south.

The "transit-oriented" redevelopment district covering a half-mile radius around the station would seek to maximize the business potential of its commuters.

Like downtown Arlington Heights or Palatine that lie along a current Metra line, a mix of condos, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues is envisioned.

Planning began in January with a brainstorming session of the village board, plan commission, zoning board of appeals and development department staff.

On Tuesday, trustees gave their informal assent to some fine-tuning of the plan, like confining any residential development on the south side of the station to dormitories for Roosevelt University.

They also began considering funding options that included tax-increment financing, general obligation bonds, a special service area and impact fees.

Trustees then referred the plan to the transportation committee to work out specific street layouts.

Community Development Director Christopher Huff said discussions are going on with nearby Rolling Meadows to ensure both communities' redevelopment plans match.

After the plan returns to the village board in a couple months, staff are suggesting informal meetings with businesses and property owners in the area before moving on to the formal adoption process and a public hearing before the plan commission.

Formal adoption of the plan could occur either late this year or early next, Village Manager Ken Fritz said.