Lombard plan commission recommends subdivision of Eastgate Shopping Center with variances

The Village of Lombard Plan Commission on March 17, 2025 voted 5-1 to recommend approval of a proposed subdivision of the Eastgate Shopping Center at 837 South Westmore Myers Road that would divide the property into three lots and allow several setback and lot-size variances for the convenience-store outlot.

Staff said the owner proposes to create Lot 1 around the convenience store, Lot 2 to encompass the existing north buildings (including current tenants such as the DMV and Ace Hardware), and Lot 3 for the south building, which is presently vacant. Planning staff recommended approval, noting Lot 1 is constrained by existing drive aisles, buildings and easements and that the requested variances were reasonable given those site conditions.

The petitioner, Leo Salarte, speaking on behalf of ownership, said the split would create flexibility for future transactions and redevelopment: “we're looking to split it into 3 separate parcels,” and said separating the corner outlot would allow sale to a national tenant or similar user to fund other parts of the project.

Staff described the three specific variances requested for Lot 1: a reduced lot area of about 16,179 square feet where the B3 PD district requires a minimum of 20,000 square feet; an interior side-yard of 0 feet where 10 feet is required; and a rear-yard of 25 feet where 30 feet is required. Planning staff said the rear-yard reduction applies only to Lot 1 after the new lot lines are drawn and that Lot 1’s configuration reflects on-site constraints.

A nearby resident, Kristen Bernstein of the Cambria Association, asked the commission not to approve a reduced rear setback without a specific plan, saying it would allow a building to be placed closer to adjacent houses and reduce privacy and greenspace. “I would like to request that the setback not be allowed reducing from 30 to 25 feet without a specific plan for the use of the property,” she said.

Staff reported other conditions tied to the recommended approval: the final plat must be revised to include an easement around the existing water or sanitary main on the property before the village will forward the plat to DuPage County for recording; the petitioner represented that ownership intends to record a blanket easement preserving cross access and shared maintenance of the parking lot; and staff recommended that the south (vacant) building on Lot 3 be demolished, or demolition at least begun, before recording the final plat.

Commissioners asked whether the parking and circulation would be preserved; staff said the proposed blanket easement would maintain existing circulation and shared parking access across the three lots, and that any future redevelopment that changed parking demand would require a subsequent review and calculations to ensure code compliance. The petitioner said the south building will be removed and maintained as grass until redevelopment occurs.

Commissioner Verson moved the recommendation to approve PC 25-06 consistent with the Interdepartmental Review Committee report and staff conditions; Commissioner Johnson seconded. The roll call was Verson — aye; Johnson — aye; Flanagan — aye; Springberg — nay; Sweetser — aye; Chair Giuliano — aye. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Village Board of Trustees for final action at its April 3, 2025 meeting.

The commission explicitly limited its approval to the subdivision and associated variances; any future redevelopment of Lot 2 or Lot 3 that alters uses, parking or circulation will require separate review and permits, including building- and fire-department approvals noted by staff.