Journal & Topics Media Group

Glenview New Development Commission Could Make Recommendation On Willows Crossing

Public Hearing Closed; GW Properties Details Changes In Response To Objectors

An updated GW Properties aerial rendering from August of the proposed Willows crossing Shopping Center at Willow and Pfingsten roads, submitted this spring with changes to what was submitted in 2019. Further changes were recently made.

Glenview New Development commissioners are expected to discuss the proposed Willows Crossing Shopping Center at their 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28 meeting. Commissioners could vote on the proposal and make a recommendation to village trustees at the meeting.   

After the Sept. 14 new development commission meeting, which included a lengthy presentation by objectors to the project, developer GW Properties made changes to plans for the shopping center, detailed in a village report.

After several meetings that included public hearings on the proposed shopping center plan, which includes rezoning from residential to a B-1 business zoning, development commission Chairman Steve Bucklin said he is confident his fellow commissioners have a good sense of community opinion on the project.

Bucklin said commissioners could make a recommendation for village trustees on the project, which could include an official map amendment, rezoning, a comprehensive plan amendment, final site plan review, preliminary subdivision, preliminary architecture, preliminary landscaping, preliminary lighting, preliminary signage and conditional use for a daycare center and preschool. 

The property, on the southwest corner of Willow and Pfingsten roads, is currently zoned R-1 residential. The property zoning was changed in the 1980s which would have allowed it to remain R-1 but to later be sold with business zoning. 

After Glenview trustees approved the project and demolition and site clearing began, GW Properties faced court challenges to the 1980s rezoning. An Illinois appellate court overturned a lower court, ruling the property was zoned only as residental. The site was cleared of trees, not authorized to be taken down, and a stop work order was made.

After that court ruling, village trustees rejected GW Properties’ plans. This spring, GW Properties came back with an amended plan, eliminating several controversial elements such as a proposed Amazon Fresh Market and changing traffic circulation. 

The primary objection residents and the group designated as objectors made to the project was traffic, with a strong secondary concern, the proposed daycare center, designated in the plan as “Building D.” 

On traffic, a response from GW Properties was dismissive of residents’ concerns saying, “We respectfully suggest that you disregard traffic-related comments which were generalized, speculative, and conclusory in nature.”

Building D was reduced in square footage from 11,000 to 10,000 and reduced in height from 20.5 feet to 19 feet. The updated plan also moved the daycare center building south and moved the playground north. 

Objectors claimed there are enough daycare centers in the area and said an additional one was not needed. In their written response, GW Properties said other daycare centers in the area did not have Montessori School programs as the proposed daycare center does and said the two closest also have long wait lists.

Additionally, another building, Building E, was reduced from 12,500 sq. ft. to 12,400. 

The updated plan includes updated landscaping, proposed berms and fencing to shield neighbors from light and noise.

Neighbors brought up trees, claiming that GW Properties improperly removed 638 trees before the stop work order and lawsuits prevented the prior project from moving forward.

Support local news by subscribing to the Journal & Topics in print or online.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.