Restaurant planned at former Arlington Hts. car dealer

A restaurant that includes a drive-through is planned on the east end of the former Mark Motors site at 2020 E. Northwest Highway in Arlington Heights, plan commission members learned Wednesday.

The deal has not been signed, but the restaurant is expected to be a type of fast-food place with a community feel where youngsters using a nearby swimming pool at Meadows Park and Prospect High School students will be comfortable along with older residents, said Nick Papanicholas of Nicholas & Associates, the developer.

The report from village staff mentions a Culver's restaurant as the likely occupant of the space.

The old building on the 2-acre site has been demolished, said Papanicholas.

The company wants to take ownership of an undeveloped part of an alley to the north of the property and is offering to upgrade and repave the rest of the alley that serves four homes, said Charles Witherington-Perkins, director of Planning & Community Development.

The developer is also asking for approval of a reduction in the building setback that's required along Gregory Avenue and along the alley.

Papanicholas said he hopes to have a contract with the restaurant operator for the portion of the property along Waterman Avenue signed by spring. And he would like to break ground by late spring or early summer. He also hopes to get a full-service sit-down restaurant to occupy the western part of the property. In between will be businesses such as a beauty parlor, real estate office or financial office.

Village staff is generally supportive but listed several conditions. The project will have to be approved by the village board after a hearing and recommendation by the plan commission.

The commission's Plat and Subdivision Committee also heard about plans by Mark Leers of North Barrington to put a dog kennel at 209-213 S. Arlington Heights Road in a space formerly occupied by a bicycle shop. Grand Frame and Karate Studio are other tenants in the building.

The staff report recommends that the owner meet with neighbors to talk about any concerns, including how noise and odor will be handled. A lack of required parking is also an issue.

In other action during the meeting related to plans for the Star Line, village staff agreed to hold off on placing a reservation on properties south of Algonquin Avenue and east of Arlington Heights Road, including the Daily Herald Office Center and Grainger Industrial Supply.

The land that will be required for access to the proposed Star Line train station near I-90 is mostly used now as roads and driveways, said Witherington-Perkins.

Even so, businesses were concerned about the potential impact of the reservation on their properties for a project that has not been funded and is years away.

"We would not object to a deferment of the project until the timing is right and we have more information on the status of the whole project," he said.