Village reviews preliminary Cook County Class 6B request for dairy manufacturer at Commercial Avenue

Catalina Properties (Quay Corporation) presented a preliminary Cook County Class 6B tax-incentive request for a renovated industrial property at 3070 Commercial Avenue. The Village Board provided nonbinding comments and a favorable initial reception while noting the final decision rests with Cook County.

Deputy Director Kolstad described the Class 6B process: a county-administered property tax incentive for rehabilitated buildings that reduces assessed value for 12 years (first 10 years at 10% of market value, 11th year at 15%, 12th year at 30%, then returns to standard assessment). The village’s posting of a preliminary application triggers a 30-day review by affected taxing bodies, which has begun per the village’s 6B review process.

Applicant representative Victor Cuellar told trustees the renovation cost estimate has risen since initial figures and is now closer to $1.2 million to $1.5 million. The applicant plans to relocate dairy production operations from existing facilities in Skokie and Lincolnwood to the Northbrook site; the move would add jobs and convert an underused industrial building.

Trustees expressed appreciation for the investment and said the 6B tool is appropriate for encouraging rehabilitation of an otherwise obsolete industrial building. No final village action was taken — the board offered preliminary comments and the application will continue through the county 6B review process.

Next steps: The village will collect comments from affected taxing bodies and the applicant may continue to pursue Cook County approval under the Class 6B procedure.