Journal & Topics Media Group

Pontarelli Takes Another Stab At DP Development


Even though his proposal for a 70-unit, age-restricted residential development in Des Plaines’ 3d ward was rejected by aldermen in July, developer Dan Pontarelli has not given up on the project.

He and other developers of the proposed Blue Sky Residence were back in council chambers Monday to champion their concept, which would require one resident in each of the building’s studios and one-bedroom apartments to be 62 or older.

Pontarelli included information about other similar developments on the Northwest side of Chicago as well as information he previously presented this summer.

“It’s like you’re trying to re-sell what you already had,” said Ald. Carla Brookman (5th) after his presentation. However, she said she was open to developing the site.

“I’m very pessimistic about this,” said Ald. Denise Rodd (3d) regarding the project.

Mayor Matt Bogusz instructed aldermen to come to a consensus regarding what sort of development should move into the irregularly-shaped, 3.54-acre parcel at 946 North Ave., which is zoned for light manufacturing, but is recommended as a site for single-family homes in the city’s Comprehensive Plan.

“It’s going to give everyone a hell of a lot more direction than they have right now,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s ever going to work,” said Pontarelli of putting single-family homes on the site, citing its proximity to railroad tracks and unusual shape. He said development plans as-is meet city requirements and were recommended by staff.

City Manager Mike Bartholomew said Pontarelli would have to wait until summer to officially bring the plan back to city council, and include a substantial change.

However, many residents who live in existing single-family homes around the property remain strongly opposed to the development. They did, however, support ideas to raze the blighted building currently on-site and to build a park on the land.

“We don’t want 75 units in our backyard to destroy our neighborhood,” said one resident. “This project, we’ll never agree to it.”

While initial plans for the development included over 80 units, Pontarelli scaled the size down multiple times to address concerns after a community meeting in summer 2016.

Due to the changes, there was a significant amount of confusion among residents regarding just how large the development would be, with some worried it could be as tall as four stories.

According to Pontarelli and an architect who worked on the project, Blue Sky would only be two stories tall.

City Clerk Jennifer Tsalapatanis suggested Pontarelli hold another meeting with residents to discuss changes to development plans before coming back to city council.

“There needs to be better communication,” she said.

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