Developer previews riverfront condo plan at former Vicky’s site; council raises parking and riverfront-use concerns
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Summary
A developer presented a conceptual plan to build condominiums over a garage at the former Vicky’s site; council members expressed concerns about density, parking, five-story height and loss of riverfront commercial uses.
The council held a conceptual review of a proposed condominium development for the former Vicky’s restaurant site on the Fox River, and members raised concerns about parking, building height and loss of commercial riverfront uses.
John Swirk, president of Direct Design LTD, DDCA Architects, presented the concept on behalf of Over the Bridge LLC and said the site is “about just under a half acre” and the proposal shows residential units above a garage with roughly 40 resident parking stalls and 10 visitor spaces in a secured garage. Swirk described the layout and said upper floors step back to reduce massing along the street.
Developer representative Nick Mazzio confirmed the units would be owner-occupied condominiums and said, “These condos, are they gonna be owner occupied? 100%. Definitely.” The applicant also said overnight docks exist on the site but not every unit will have an overnight slip.
Council members raised repeated concerns. Alderman Doherty said the plan appears “too dense” and voiced doubt that on-street or nearby overflow parking can accommodate residents’ needs. Alderman Miller and others said they worry about converting prime riverfront parcels from commercial uses — restaurants and retail that serve boaters and visitors — to strictly residential uses. Alderman Bassi asked whether the project would meet the city’s parking ordinance; staff replied the current plan does not meet the 1.5 spaces-per-unit requirement and the applicant would need a variance or another solution.
The developer said the economics of the proposal depend on the unit count and height; removing floors would raise per-unit costs and could make the project unviable. Swirk and the applicant asked for conceptual feedback; council members asked the developer to return with refined plans addressing parking, height and potential mixed-use alternatives.
No formal action was taken; the presentation was conceptual and meant to solicit council direction. Staff and the applicant will follow up on parking, possible variances, and whether the council would prefer a mixed-use alternative on the riverfront site.
