Palatine property to become apartment

The owner of a commercial property in Palatine who has unsuccessfully searched for a tenant for three years has come up with a new solution.

On Monday, the village council approved Yong Il Lee's proposal to rezone the property, allowing him to move from his residence in Buffalo Grove and convert the vacant office space at 101-103 S. Northwest Hwy. into a three-bedroom, two-bath apartment for himself.

The 7,500-square-foot property also houses a flower shop, which Lee operates, and Mohawk Rubber Stamp Co.

The Palatine plan commission unanimously supported the proposal in April, but staff members originally recommended the council deny it due to numerous concerns.

For one, only the downtown business district has mixed-use buildings that allow both residential and commercial space. In those cases, the commercial space is typically on the ground floor and the residential units above it. However, Lee's apartment will be at street level.

Another concern was parking, since the building's current spaces are on the village right-of-way and no overnight parking is permitted. Also, there's no on-street overnight parking permitted in the area.

Lee said he is in discussions with the owner of The String Project, located immediately to the north, about leasing two parking spots. As a backup, Lee said he could secure two spots in an interior garage currently utilized by Mohawk Rubber Stamp Co.

Lee also said he found the building was originally residential and assured staff he wouldn't change the structure's exterior.

In the end, Village Manager Reid Ottesen said everyone was appeased when a condition was added to the ordinance limiting the apartment occupant to either Lee or the operator of one of the tenant businesses. That way, they can control any of noises, smells or disturbances that result from the businesses.