Retail center proposed for 75th Street

At least one developer already has a plan for property along 75th Street if the city decides to allow more commercial development in the area.

A proposal for East Naperville Commons retail center anchored by Walgreens is back before the city's plan commission but is facing opposition from neighbors.

The proposal calls for a 20,264-square-foot development at the southwest corner of 75th Street and Wehrli Road. The one-story, multi-tenant building would also have a 97-space parking lot.

"Given the lack of ... neighborhood commercial convenience shopping this is the logical place for it," said Kevin Gallaher, attorney for developer DLR Properties.

He said the developer is willing to make intersection improvements, including additional room on Wehrli for cars making left turns onto 75th. There also would be right-turn lanes going into and out of the development off 75th along with a deceleration lane.

The land is part of DuPage County and zoned for residential use but DLR Properties is requesting Naperville annex and rezone it.

Last year, both the plan commission and city council rejected the proposal, some citing potential effects on nearby residents. Others argued it would go against the existing land use plan.

However, the city is revising its land use plan along 75th Street, and the latest recommendations for that corner call for "transitional" uses, which could be residential or commercial.

Plan commission Chairman Derke Price said Wednesday the commission will not be voting on the proposed development until it reaches a conclusion on the 75th Street study.

Bonny Albrecht, who lives at the intersection, said she wouldn't mind living across the street from Walgreens.

But about 20 other residents at Wednesday's plan commission meeting said they oppose additional commercial development near their homes.

Jim Graham, a resident of nearby Hobson Villas, said there are plenty of drug stores nearby.

"There are very, very few people who really want it or need it," he said of the proposed development. "I think for the traffic problems it's going to cause, for safety issues - and that's a real concern - and unquestionably it will lower our property values."

Gallaher has said a traffic study showed that 51,000 vehicles pass through the intersection daily, making it unsuitable for additional development.

The plan commission will continue discussing the city's 75th Street study when it meets Aug. 20.