WESTERN SPRINGS, Ill. – The owner of a Western Springs office complex complained Friday that the village’s delay in action on new development is “ridiculous.”
Owner Fran Geich, who now lives in Florida, is aiming to sell the complex at 5600 Wolf Road to Burr Ridge developer McNaughton Development. That is conditional on the village granting zoning approval to replace the complex with townhomes.
The only remaining tenant in the complex is the Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center.
The Planning Commission held public hearings on the zoning request in August and September. However, the other one will not be set until November 18th.
“It costs money to maintain a building, and the contract (with McNaughton) has been going on for almost a year,” Geich said in an interview. “Given your investment, I think the village needs to make this a priority.”
The Ridgewood subdivision is located next to an office complex at 5600 Wolf Road in Western Springs. Ridgewood residents have criticized plans to replace an office complex with townhomes. (David Giuliani/Patch)
She continued: “It’s ridiculous to postpone it for two months just because you can’t get a quorum when other people are pouring money in. I’ve communicated that to the village head and the head of the village. I would like to suggest that this is not a good government for the village.” people. ”
Geich said the office complex will benefit the community and increase property taxes by $500,000 a year, compared to the current $120,000.
Under the plan, McNaughton is proposing eight buildings consisting of 29 townhomes. But neighbors argue the townhomes will worsen drainage and traffic.
If the village ultimately rejects the development plan, Gaik said he may file a lawsuit.
In a statement to Patch on Monday, village spokesperson Selmin Cicek said the developer provided an updated site plan at a Sept. 24 meeting.
After hearing public comments, the Planning Commission postponed the hearing until Nov. 18 to allow the developer to revise the site layout and update the proposed plan, he said.
The first public hearing was held Aug. 13 and continued until Sept. 24 for the developer to address public and commission comments, Cicek said.
The office complex is adjacent to the Ridgewood residential subdivision.
