Plan Commission approves 39,120‑square‑foot speculative warehouse with limited parking and fence relief in Huntley

The Village of Huntley Plan Commission on Jan. 9 unanimously approved a Final Planned Unit Development for a ±39,120‑square‑foot speculative multi‑tenant warehouse on Lot 2 of the Duke Realty Huntley DC Subdivision, located at the southwest corner of Freeman Road and Weber Drive.

Senior Planner Scott Bernacki told commissioners the site is zoned ORI PUD and was annexed in 2014 under ORI rules in effect at that time; at annexation the district allowed warehouse and outdoor truck storage as permitted uses, while current ORI rules require a special use for warehousing. The petition, filed by UC Huntley LLC, requests final PUD approval under Section 156.204 of the Huntley Zoning Ordinance and seeks relief for two primary items: a reduction in required passenger vehicle parking, and the ability to install an 8‑foot black vinyl‑coated chain‑link fence within the 35‑foot Weber Drive front‑yard setback.

Planner Bernacki described the proposed site: a divisible building that can be split into up to four tenant spaces, with principal access from Freeman Road and two aprons off Weber Drive. Building plans call for 56 passenger parking stalls (10' x 19') while the Village parking table requires 63, producing a requested shortfall of seven stalls. Trailer parking shown on the plans includes 37 trailer stalls (12' x 55') behind the building and 22 tractor‑trailer stalls (12' x 75') along the south lot line; staff and the applicant stated those trailer stalls would be reserved for building tenants and not leased to off‑site businesses.

Bernacki also outlined site design elements: 32'‑tall precast panels painted to match the adjacent Phase I building; two‑story spandrel glass and canopies at tenant entrances; 14 overhead doors on the rear elevation (10 drive‑in doors and four depressed loading docks); and rooftop mechanical equipment screens. Landscaping plans call for 71 new shade trees (including 24 trees to replace dead plantings), 21 evergreen trees to screen trailer parking, and 176 shrubs along the Weber Drive frontage. Lighting would use Lithonia D Series LED fixtures on 28' poles in passenger parking and 30' poles in truck parking; all fixtures were presented as full‑cutoff.

Broker Mike Hawryluk of ICG Chicago, representing the petitioner, said the building was designed “to offer the most flexibility in line with market demand for tenants.” Commissioners generally expressed support for the building's design and its compatibility with Phase I; Commissioner Ron Hahn said he appreciated the matching design and that the proposed fence was not an issue at that location. Commissioner Jeff Peterson asked whether some trailer stalls could be converted to passenger stalls because the plan includes only four depressed loading docks; Broker Hawryluk said the layout is intended to provide flexibility for market needs.

Commissioner Dennis O'Leary moved to approve the petition subject to staff's recommended conditions and two additional Plan Commission conditions carried over from Phase I: no parking on Weber Drive and no loading or unloading activity from Weber Drive. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ron Hahn and passed 6‑0‑0.

The approval is subject to the Plan Commission's conditions, which include compliance with Village codes and Municipal Services standards; meeting Huntley Fire Protection District requirements; prohibition on outdoor shipping/cargo container storage; tractor‑trailer parking limited to building occupants only; required dumpster enclosures if dumpsters are later added; petitioner responsibility for landscape maintenance and annual mulching with prompt replacement of dead plantings; and that no building permits, construction permits, sign permits, or Certificates of Occupancy are approved as part of this submittal.

The commission also heard brief updates on unrelated local projects, including the Panera Bread development timeline and prospective occupants for the former Manny's Gelato space and the Burger King site. The meeting adjourned at 6:52 p.m.