Vernon Hills considers adjustments to non-retail ban

Concern from building owners could lead to adjustments in a temporary ban on non-sales-tax businesses in commercial areas in Vernon Hills.

Trustees two weeks ago enacted a six-month moratorium barring non-retail uses from opening on the ground floor of buildings in the main commercial corridors along Route 60 and Milwaukee Avenue.

The impetus was that the village relies heavily on sales tax to fund operations and filling vacant storefronts with offices or other uses that don't generate sales wouldn't help the bottom line.

But the matter is scheduled to be revisited during the village's regular meeting beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday at village hall, 290 Evergreen Drive.

"There's going to be a couple of business owners there to express their opinion," said John Kalmar, assistant village manager.

A review of the designated areas since the moratorium was enacted showed 95 percent of all retail commercial space in the village is confined to properties immediately adjacent to the Route 60/Milwaukee Avenue and at Gregg's Parkway and Milwaukee.

Information provided to the village board shows that most property owners are hoping to fill vacant spaces with any use, not necessarily sales-tax generators.

Village staff says it recognizes the difficult economic times and has suggested minor changes to reduce the number of areas affected by the moratorium.

Allowing a non-sales-tax-generating use to be replaced in the same space by a similar use within the moratorium area is another possibility.

Trustees also are expected to be updated on a study of its commercial areas, which includes an inventory of retail and non-retail uses.

"The question is going to be, 'How do we balance retail versus non-retail uses and maintain our revenue sources?'" Kalmar said.

"Realistically, are there enough retailers out there now and in the future to fill the vacancies we have today?"