Buffalo Grove plaza plan still in limbo

A large commercial development at Milwaukee Avenue and Deerfield Parkway in Buffalo Grove once again was put on hold this week as the village board continues to negotiate with the developers.

Trustees said this is a chance to make the 24-acre parcel into a viable gateway to Buffalo Grove, and they want to make sure it's done well.

The village has been hoping for development of the land for 17 years now, but all plans have fallen through. The current design, called Berenesa Plaza, calls for a combination of retail, restaurants, a hotel and office buildings.

At issue Monday was the fact that Ken Kuchler, project manager with Single Site Solutions, wanted a change in the agreement with the village regarding restaurants.

He wanted the village to allow other buildings to be put up before two restaurants have opened for business, as the agreement now requires.

Kuchler said he still would show proof that restaurants intend to build on the site.

The village had been pushing for restaurants to appear first because, trustees said, a bank or other business isn't necessary in town.

Trustee Jeff Berman said the village is looking for "greater commitment from you in exchange for greater flexibility from us."

"The plan as proposed remains somewhat disappointing," Berman said.

Kuchler said the development team still has a large commitment to the site but needs a little leeway from the board. "We're willing to talk," he said. "We want to negotiate back and forth."

Berenesa Plaza first was brought to the village board in March. Then, the board was split about whether to allow the idea to go to the plan commission.

Village President Elliott Harstein broke the tie vote with the caveat that the development come back in drastically different shape than it was first presented. The board also wanted a list of restaurants from the developer before it gave final approval to the idea.

Hartstein said Monday he would have hoped the developer would have a couple restaurant leases by now.

Although the board was supposed to vote on the annexation agreement Monday, the matter was deferred to Sept. 24 as Trustees DeAnn Glover, Bruce Kahn and Brian Rubin were absent.