Retail developer at last wins approval

A developer that had been put through the paces over several prior meetings was given approval Monday for a large retail complex at the intersections of Deerfield Parkway and Milwaukee Avenue in Buffalo Grove.

The Berenesa Plaza is 24-acre parcel at the northwest and southwest portions of those two roads. The proposal -- on land the village has been hoping to develop for more than a decade -- calls for a combination of retail, restaurants, a hotel, office buildings and a medical building.

The village has had long discussions with the developer about the area, which they see as a gateway into the village. Trustees have said that they want to see quality restaurants and retail to compete with the other development by neighboring towns on Milwaukee Avenue.

Trustee Brian Rubin cast the lone "no" vote for the development. Trustee Jeff Berman cast a "present" vote, which was put in with the majority vote from the rest of the board.

Village President Elliott Hartstein also cast an affirmative vote, and Trustee Bruce Kahn was absent.

Rubin said he was hoping for more creative architecture for what is being touted as a gateway into town. He called the plan a "sea of asphalt."

Berman said he has been dismayed that the developer hasn't been able to produce the names of retailers and restaurants that will take residence at the site.

"I remain disappointed in the proposal," he said. The village doesn't need more banks or pharmacies, he said, and needs the promise of restaurants to make the development viable.

However, the other board members said they trust the developer will pull through with the promises made, with Trustee Jeff Braiman saying the group has been willing to work with the village.

Trustee Steven Trilling said, "This project must succeed."

Ken Kuchler, the project manager with Single Site Solutions, said he's seen more interest from retailers as his group has starting courting restaurants.

"We are committed to bringing those uses here," he said.

The agreement that was approved Monday included some changes from two weeks ago, when the issue was last discussed. The developer must bring forward three letters of intent for restaurants committed to the site before any building permits, with the exception of the medical building, can be issued.

The drug store, bank and office buildings can be built at that point, but none can be occupied until at least three restaurants are also occupied.

The prior agreement had a requirement for two restaurants.