W. Dundee's Wal-Mart vote requires a larger meeting room

A planning and zoning commission vote on plan changes for a proposed Wal-Mart SuperCenter in West Dundee was delayed Monday when a huge crowd prevented dozens of residents from entering the building.

More than 150 people crammed into every available space in village hall for the retailer's first public hearing.

Dozens of others waited outside.

Village officials said arrangements for a larger venue, possibly a local school or church, and a date would be known in the coming days.

Representatives from Wal-Mart were to present an updated site plan for the 183,000-square-foot development at the corner of Huntley Road and Elm Avenue, on the outskirts of Spring Hill Mall.

The world's largest retailer had requested site variances related to the parking lot, such as taller light poles, additional signage, wider driveways and larger but fewer, parking lot islands, said Community Development Director Cathleen Tymoszenko.

But because of the large turnout, commissioners and village staff members voted to continue the hearing.

"This was the only legal thing to do," Village Attorney John Brechin. "There were too many people who couldn't get in. At the least people have a right to see or hear what is happening."

The threat of a continuation simmered early in the meeting when audience members in the back of the room pleaded for commissioners and developers to speak up or into their microphones.

At one point, a resident yelled for a new venue.

Tymoszenko said the village staff would discuss a suitable location with the village manager today.

The public hearing for the proposed Wal-Mart would be the lone item on the agenda, commission chairman Rogers Susanke reassured residents, many of whom applauded the commission's decision.