Des Plaines zoning change could allow $1 billion development
Zoning changes that could allow a $1 billion development of offices, hotels, residential towers and retail spaces that some say could rival neighboring Rosemont have been approved for a 52-acre site in Des Plaines.
Robert Kozonis' bold plans for his O'Hare Lake office complex at 2200 E. Devon Ave., located across the Tri-State Tollway from Rivers Casino, calls for as many as four 10-story office towers, five 11-story residential towers around Lake Peterson, two 9-story hotel towers facing Devon Avenue, and four levels of retail below the hotels.
The city council agreed this week to create a new “high density campus commercial” zoning district, and rezone O'Hare Lake into that designation, from its former limited office commercial district.
Specific projects would be required to come before the plan commission and city council for public hearings and approval. Last year, Kozonis and his representatives asked that specific projects, as they are developed, only require the review of the city's director of community and economic development, before city staff recommended they alter their proposal.
Kozonis' team of architects and lawyers say it could take up to 20 years for the entire development to come to fruition, and at least a couple years until the first building is constructed. But they're hopeful for what the project, estimated to cost about $1 billion, could become.
“We believe we can do something quite a bit better here (than Rosemont),” said Rick Fawell, the project architect. “We can create an international destination.”
Fawell said the location of the development near the expressway and Lake Peterson make it an attractive site. Potential investors have expressed interest in being close to the casino — and some conceptual drawings show a bridge that connects the development with the casino, over the expressway, he added.
Those are only sketches of what may be possible, though connecting to the casino presents other issues, Fawell said.
Meanwhile, many residents who live west of O'Hare Lake said during Monday's city council meeting they're in favor of redevelopment at the office complex, but wanted lower building heights near their homes.
Herman Zelk, a candidate for 6th Ward alderman who grew up on Patton Drive just west of the complex, said the zoning rules that could allow for building heights up to 165 feet shouldn't be allowed for proposed residential buildings on the west side of the property. Currently, buildings on site can be only as high as 45 feet.
“I am all for economic expansion. I've lived next to that parcel of land for quite some time. I believe even when commercial and residential get together, there should be a little bit more negotiation, and should be more transition between the two,” Zelk said. “I think the buildings are too high and they're too close to the residents.”
Zelk is running against Malcolm Chester and Mario Palacios to replace current Alderman Mark Walsten, who is being forced to step down after 8 years on the council due to term limits.
Walsten, a supporter of the O'Hare Lake redevelopment, said Des Plaines could be in line to receive $20 million in tax revenue if the project is built out — money that could help rebuild the city's infrastructure.
“This is gonna be a project nobody ever saw in Des Plaines,” said Walsten, though he cautioned that it's only a proposal at this point.
Eighth Ward Alderman Mike Charewicz was the lone alderman to vote against the zoning changes, due to concerns with proposed building heights.