New Vernon Hills hotel to cater to canines
Although it features television, room service and a play area, the newest hotel being proposed in Vernon Hills would not be a traditional getaway.
Targeted to four-legged guests, the PetsHotel is part of an expansion proposed by the PetSmart Inc. chain, which wants to move from one shopping center in the village to another.
Village officials informally endorsed the idea to for the relocation from Rivertree Center on Route 60 east to fill the vacant Linens 'N' Things space at Hawthorn Hills Fashion Square at Milwaukee Avenue.
PetSmart needs a special use permit to move the store to a bigger space to accommodate an animal clinic, hospital, indoor pet day care and overnight boarding.
Company officials said the bigger space would allow for expanded services. More than a fifth of the space would be used for doggy day camp, which would be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and the 24-hour PetsHotel.
The chain operates 162 of the hotels nationally, the closest being in Evanston and Crystal Lake.
"We are a very suitable market for that concept to be brought here," John Kalmar, assistant village manager, told the village board Tuesday during an informal discussion.
PetSmart has operated in the village for about 12 years but the business model has changed in the interim, focusing more on a total care package, including veterinary service, day care and boarding, according to a report by village staff.
Some of those uses have not been added to the current store in part because village code prohibited them. But they can be considered as variations of a special use.
The Fashion Square center, which had been more than half empty, is getting a $6 million makeover, with Dick's Sporting Goods as the new anchor. The reuse of the Linens 'N' Things spot is expected to draw other users.
PetSmart would not be part of a sales tax sharing agreement between the village and center owner Chase Properties Ltd. because it is an existing business in town.
Kalmar said other retailers are interested in filling the space vacated by PetSmart.
Concern that PetSmart would be adding non-taxed services rather than retail uses was raised during a public hearing before the village's planning and zoning commission, but staff maintained the services also would generate additional store sales.