Prestige neighbors now battling warehouse proposal in Mount Prospect

A group of Des Plaines homeowners who successfully waged a yearslong fight against an animal feed plant in Mount Prospect are now battling a proposed warehouse near their homes.

Mount Prospect and Des Plaines neighbors shared their concerns at last week’s Mount Prospect’s planning and zoning commission.

The commission voted 3-2 Thursday to recommend approval of the zoning change to allow the warehouse. It paves the way for 1600 Bishop Partnership LLC to replace a four-story office building with a warehouse in excess of 90,000 square feet at the southwest corner of Kensington and Wolf roads in the village’s Kensington Business Center.

The LLC is affiliated with the Wingspan Development Group, part of the Nicholas Family of Companies, which has its headquarters in the business park.

The homeowners cited public safety issues and traffic concerns in their letter.

“Mount Prospect should have consideration for the public safety issues and the residential fabric of our neighborhood,” they wrote. “Our communities pay well over $1 million a year to get our kids safely to River Trails school district. Our roads are busy enough with semitruck traffic.”

Residents successfully fought the operation of Prestige Feed Products, which left the Kensington Business Center at the end of last year following years of complaints about odors from its plant across the street. Prestige recently reached settlement in a class-action suit with the neighbors as well.

They are gearing up for another battle over this latest proposal.

The building targeted for demolition to make way for the warehouse was occupied until last year by NTN USA Corp. The LLC has two plans in mind. One is for a building designed for e-commerce, light assembly and distribution. Another is for a pharmaceutical user.

“This is a location that can serve a variety of uses, especially for potential companies that want a high-profile, higher visibility location in a town like Mount Prospect,” said Jack DiNardo, speaking on behalf of the petitioner.

Residents expressed concern about traffic on Wolf Road.

Des Plaines resident Mary Pat Donohue gave emotional testimony, saying her daughter was hit by a car while jogging near the location a decade ago. The girl survived her injuries.

Donohue said the corner of Kensington and Wolf is near a church, a park and a daycare center.

“That area is a little bit deceiving because it’s wide open. You begin to forget that there are families and homes there,” she said.

The Mount Prospect village board will ultimately decide the matter at a future meeting.