Developer asks Arlington Hts. for zoning change

Mark Anderson, a developer whose downtown Arlington Heights projects include the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre and Village Green condominiums, says he wants to build senior housing on the north side of Sigwalt Street between Highland and Chestnut avenues.

Before he can build, however, Anderson said he needs the land for the development zoned like the downtown area. Downtown business zoning allows for buildings as tall as 140 feet and for more units than the multifamily housing designation specified for the land in the village's comprehensive plan. Multifamily zoning limits buildings to four to six stories and a maximum height of 60 feet.

Anderson appeared before the village board Monday for an "early review," designed to get a sense of where trustees stand on a project before the property starts the village's approval process. The developer called that process "increasingly cumbersome and increasingly anti-community redevelopment."

The zoning change may help Anderson bring more partners to the table for the project, he said. A partner in senior housing could bring a cohesive plan to the block, which also is called for in the village's comprehensive plan.

"My property would be part of that plan, but I can only talk about my property tonight," he said.

There is a need for senior housing so older residents can stay in the village, Anderson added, but predicted the economy means no regular condominiums will be built in Arlington Heights for five years.

Anderson controls approximately the south third of the block, and the north part of the block already has the downtown business zoning, he said.

Originally, Anderson was in partnership with the owners of the northern part of the block, which is on the south side of Campbell Street and was owned by Paddock Publications - the company that owns the Daily Herald - until the company sold it in 1996 and moved to its current headquarters at 155 E. Algonquin Road. Except for three unoccupied homes, the block is vacant.

There is no harm if the board shows a willingness to grant the zoning request, because nothing could be built without approval by commissions and the board, Anderson said.

While trustees expressed appreciation of Anderson's earlier projects and a desire to see the land developed, several were concerned about showing approval for rezoning without seeing the plans. They also voiced concern for the owners of single-family homes in the area.

"It is often difficult to tell developers they can't build up to what the code allows," said Charles Witherington-Perkins, director of Planning and Community Development.

Trustee Joseph Farwell pointed out that the land where the Daily Herald once stood remained vacant even during boom times.

Both Anderson and Tim Meyer, whose home on Mitchell Avenue backs up to project and said he fears a tall building would take away the privacy of his back yard, expressed satisfaction with the meeting.