Long Grove gives final OK to Sunset Foods

The Long Grove village board gave final approval to the Sunset Foods development on Tuesday, although that is still dependent on hammering out details on a water agreement.

The final sticking point hinges around the deep well system that the developers want to put in to serve the site at Route 83 and Aptakisic Road.

Village President Maria Rodriguez said Mid-America Development Partners and three other property owners in the area will build the well, and the village will eventually take it over to help provide water to downtown businesses, which are just down the street from Sunset Grove.

Although there are no firm costs for the well system yet, Village Manager David Lothspeich said the agreement includes limits of $3.25 million on the total cost.

The village would put in money only if improvements are needed to extend well service to the downtown. Long Grove officials have been looking for alternatives for the downtown in case shallow wells used in that area dry up.

"We end up buying (the system) for a much-reduced cost," Rodriguez said.

The well may also help make money for Long Grove in the future because the village could sell the system to someone else to run, she said.

The Sunset Foods is expected to open by October of next year. The development is anchored by the high-end grocery store, but will include five other buildings slated for a coffee shop, pharmacy, restaurant, bank and dry cleaner.

The development group is still finalizing leases on those buildings.