Buffalo Grove sends developer 'downtown' study he may not like
Although a recent study shows a “downtown” could be built on the Buffalo Grove Golf Course, it may not be the one developer Chuck Malk of CRM Properties Group Ltd. had in mind when he proposed it in 2012.
Buffalo Grove trustees Monday discussed the $79,000 engineering study that shows it would be feasible to build the “downtown,” then voted, with two exceptions, to forward the study to Malk.
Malk may not be happy with what he sees, because both of the recommended alternatives in the study by Christopher B. Burke Engineering Ltd. show a buildable area that falls short of the 65 acres originally proposed.
One alternative would allow 58.5 acres of buildable area, while another alternative would allow 53.
In fact, at one point, Village Manager Dane Bragg confirmed Trustee Jeffrey Berman's question about whether the Malk proposal was in essence dead on arrival.
Bragg said Malk could not make the 2012 concept plan fit the parameters outlined in the engineering study.
Trustee Steven Trilling made the motion to present the study to Malk and obtain his response. That motion was seconded by Trustee Lester Ottenheimer III.
Trilling said this was one of the first steps of thousands.
“I'm for the idea that we entertain and listen to everyone involved,” Trilling explained. “What I'm against is making premature decisions in any capacity.”
Trustee Michael Terson made a similar motion, but the other trustees were not satisfied enough with the language to give it a second.
Two trustees, Andrew Stein and Beverly Sussman, voted against the motion.
Both said they would be curious to see proposals from other developers.
“We seem to go out for bids on just about everything down to the Porta-Potties at Buffalo Grove Days,” Stein said.
“I don't feel we should be fast-tracking this,” Sussman said. She said she would like to see other plans and visions, “not just Mr. Malk's.”
A packed crowd mostly against the proposed development filled village hall. Several audience members spoke, including Leon Gopon, president of Save Buffalo Grove.
Gopon said the trend is moving away from shopping in big-box stores and more toward online purchases, especially among young people. Retail development is part of the “downtown” proposal.
At one point, Gopon questioned the transparency of the village during the process and suggested that the decisions have been made behind closed doors. He added that if the concept of a downtown on the village campus is such a great idea, why aren't developers lined up outside the door of village hall.
But Village President Jeffrey Braiman said the village has been upfront and that people should be able to trust that the village does not make decisions behind closed doors.