Schaumburg STAR line station plan finished

Schaumburg trustees Tuesday made final adjustments to a redevelopment concept plan they'll formally approve next week for the area around their future STAR Line commuter station.

The rail line connecting O'Hare International Airport with suburbs to the west and south isn't expected to be built for another decade. But some communities, like Schaumburg, are already planning to maximize the business potential of its influx of commuters.

Establishing a concept plan so far in advance isn't just a safety measure, it's of immediate practical value, Village Manager Ken Fritz said.

"It provides staff with direction when developers come to us asking about redevelopment," he said.

Schaumburg's STAR Line station is expected to be in the center of the Northwest Tollway, between the village's new convention center to the north and IKEA to the south.

The "transit-oriented" redevelopment district within a half-mile radius of the station is hoped to make the most of its strategic location with a mix of condos, restaurants, shops and entertainment -- similar to downtown Arlington Heights or Palatine.

Planning began in January with a brainstorming session of village officials.

The latest fine-tuning of the plan included prohibiting new housing on the south side of the tollway, with the exception of student dormitories Roosevelt University may choose to build on its campus in the future.

The north side of the tollway is where village officials hope to add many more condo units to the 1,500 that already exist in the redevelopment district.

Schaumburg and Rolling Meadows officials have been in frequent contact throughout the year, ensuring their separate plans for redevelopment in the area complement each other.

One aspect of that is making sure roadways between the communities are as accessible to residents of new Rolling Meadows high-rises as to visitors at Schaumburg's Renaissance Hotel.

Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson said the ability of these hotel guests to reach amenities in Rolling Meadows is as important as Rolling Meadows residents getting to Schaumburg businesses.

"They'll complement each other," Schaumburg Mayor Al Larson said of the plans. "It's a good example of intergovernmental cooperation."

Trustees will formally adopt the plan next Tuesday.