Gurnee board approves rezoning and PUD to convert former Holiday Inn at 6161 Grand Avenue

The Gurnee Village Board on Monday approved a zoning map amendment and a planned unit development agreement that will allow the Kai family to convert the south wing of the former Holiday Inn at 6161 Grand Avenue into 80 multifamily residential units and renovate the remaining hotel and restaurant space.

Community Development Director Dave Ziegler summarized the project and the requests before the board, saying the applicant proposes converting 113 hotel rooms in the south wing into 48 studio units and 32 one-bedroom units and remodeling about 105 hotel rooms on the west wing while upgrading the on-site restaurant and public spaces. "They're looking at converting 113 hotel rooms in the Southern wing to 80 multifamily residential units," Ziegler said during his presentation.

The conversion requires three approvals: (1) a zoning map amendment to rezone 0.09 acres from R-1 single-family to C-2 community commercial (a staff-initiated rezoning for a parcel the village recently annexed), (2) a special-use permit for a preliminary PUD with specified departures from the zoning code, and (3) approval of the preliminary and final PUD plans and the PUD agreement. The Planning & Zoning Board reviewed and unanimously recommended approval with conditions tied to parking agreements, signage controls and other standard PZB conditions.

Project representatives said the residential component is aimed at adults aged 21 and older, limiting studio units to one occupant and…