Menards revises Vernon Hills plan in response to questions from officials and neighbors
In response to questions from village officials and residents, home improvement retailer Menard Inc. has revised plans for a proposed store near Milwaukee Avenue in Vernon Hills.
The company initially presented plans in October for a 223,775-square-foot store on commercially zoned property east of the upscale Gregg’s Landing neighborhood near Milwaukee Avenue. Village officials informally supported the concept but had concerns with a separate warehouse building and other aspects.
The village board on Tuesday will consider the consolidation of the buildings into one structure, which the company said should address concerns of the village and neighbors. The matter will be discussed during the board’s informal work session following the regular meeting beginning at 7 p.m. at village hall, 290 Evergreen Drive.
Originally, the plan called for a two-story store with a garden center on the north end of the building and a detached warehouse further north near the property line. But after repeated comments, the company flipped the design so the garden center is on the south side of the store and the warehouse incorporated onto the north end.
Doing that, places the open end of the warehouse a minimum of 140 feet and in some places “nearly a football field away” from the north property, according to information provided to the board.
Architectural upgrades are maintained along all visible exterior walls with additional landscaping, a retaining wall and decorative wrought iron fencing surrounding the garden center, the company informed the village.
Changes to vehicle and truck access to the warehouse and yard may also reduce the amount of truck traffic on Gregg’s Parkway, the company said.
“Overall, it is a better plan than what we first saw,” assistant village manager John Kalmar said. However, improvements to the architectural plans are still needed, according to a summary for the board.
Menards would be the anchor of what is known as the Gregg’s Landing north commercial parcel. The part south of Gregg’s Parkway has been developed with a Mariano’s grocery, Lowe’s home improvement and other stores.
The new store will replace the Menards on Route 60 in Mundelein, which closed two months ago.