WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – The owner of a Western Springs office complex on Friday complained about a delay in village action for a new development, calling it “ridiculous.”
Owner Fran Gaik, who now lives in Florida, aims to sell the complex at 5600 Wolf Road to Burr Ridge developer McNaughton Development. That is contingent on the village giving zoning approval to replace the complex with townhomes.
The only tenant left in the complex is Allergy Asthma & Sinus Centers.
Find out what's happening in Western Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Plan Commission held hearings in August and September on the zoning request. But another one is not set until Nov. 18.
“It’s costing me money to keep the building going. The contract (with McNaughton) has been in place for almost a year,” Gaik said in an interview. “I would think the village needs to make this a priority in light of everyone’s investment.”
Find out what's happening in Western Springswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The Ridgewood subdivision is next to the office complex at 5600 Wolf Road in Western Springs. Ridgewood residents have been critical of the plan to replace the office complex with townhomes. (David Giuliani/Patch)
She continued, “To postpone for two months because you can’t make a quorum while others are bleeding money is ridiculous. I have communicated that to the village manager and the village president. I would suggest to you that this is not good government for the people.”
Gaik said the office complex would benefit the community, bringing in a half million dollars in property taxes a year compared with the current $120,000.
Under the plan, McNaughton is proposing eight buildings consisting of 29 townhomes. But neighbors have contended the townhomes would worsen drainage and traffic.
If the village ultimately rejects the development plan, Gaik said she may go to court.
Click Here: cheap kanken backpack
In a statement to Patch on Monday, village spokeswoman Selmin Cicek said the developer provided an updated site plan at the Sept. 24 meeting.
After hearing public comments, she said, the Plan Commission delayed the hearing until Nov. 18 to let the developer update the proposed plans with the revised site layout.
The first hearing was on Aug. 13 and was continued to Sept. 24 to let the developer address the comments from the public and commission, Cicek said.
The office complex is next to the Ridgewood residential subdivision.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.