Sunset Grove parking needs review, board says

The Long Grove village board had its first chance Tuesday to sound off on the Sunset Grove development.

The project, which includes a Sunset Foods grocery store and five other buildings at the southeast corner of Route 83 and Aptakisic Road, has been making its way through the plan commission and architectural board in the past couple of weeks.

The plan commission had some conditions on the development after examining it last week, including limiting noise activity in the complex, improving the pedestrian connections throughout, increasing the buffer area around Route 83 and decreasing the overall density.

Residents in the area have had similar concerns about the proposal.

Mike Firsel, the developer, said, so far, his company, Mid-America Development Partners, is hoping for a Starbucks, Fifth-Third Bank, CVS pharmacy, Panera and Zengeler dry cleaners to fill out the remaining five spots.

One of the major concerns with trustees was the amount of parking in the development. Firsel said there are five spots for every 1,000 square feet.

"It seems as if you have a lot of parking," Trustee Karen Schmitt said.

However, other board members said that the parking is much lower than in other developments, such as the Long Grove Commons, and that it's necessary to attract tenants.

"This is underparking if anything," Firsel said.

The board ultimately decided to let a consultant study the parking situation and come back with a recommendation.

The board also had concerns about the type of material used in the development and asked Firsel to look at more environmentally friendly items, such as ground asphalt. Board members also pushed for as much green space in the project as possible.

Firsel said he would look into suggestions to see if they are viable.

He said he has tried to take in the suggestions of residents and the various boards the plans have passed through, evidenced by his addition of a plaza that could serve as a community gathering place.

Firsel said the planners have also ensured that the noise from the development will be no greater than what it is today, and that the lighting will not leak off the property into the surrounding neighborhoods.

The plans will be tweaked before they come back to the board once again on Feb. 26, when the board may cast a final vote on the project.