Conner Commercial project at 55–75 S. Milwaukee advances toward ordinance after Planning & Zoning recommendation

The Committee of the Whole reviewed Conner Commercial Real Estate's multifamily redevelopment proposal for 55–75 S. Milwaukee Ave. and signaled consensus to have staff prepare ordinances consistent with Planning & Zoning recommendations.

Director of Community Development Andrew Jennings recapped the application history and technical review: Planning & Zoning recommended rezoning (7–0), the PUD carried 6–1 with one commissioner opposed on density grounds, and the plat passed 7–0. Jennings said technical issues remain to be addressed before final permits, including: documentation that fire district vehicles can safely operate on the proposed fire-lane slope; a Lake County review to determine whether isolated wetlands require further action; site-plan adjustments to add a required right‑turn lane per IDOT because of the roadway speed; and rooftop equipment screening if units are visible.

Michael Fasone, who runs multifamily development for Conner Commercial Real Estate, presented the site plan and said the design places most vehicular circulation into a northwest entry and concentrates residential use toward the river side with a parking garage serving most units. Fasone said the project includes a mix of apartments and townhomes, shared amenities (gym, outdoor space and common rooms) and a higher parking ratio than some nearby projects (the developer noted a proposed 1.8 spaces per unit for Building 1 compared with ~1.4 at another site).

Trustees pressed the developer on access and ownership of the parcel immediately south of the site; Fasone said the property has an unclear ownership history and that attempts to acquire it had stalled. One trustee noted the village should investigate who paid outstanding taxes on the adjacent property. Director Jennings reiterated the Planning & Zoning conditions that the developer must address technical review comments before permits are issued.

The Committee's action was consensus to direct staff to prepare ordinances consistent with the Planning & Zoning recommendation so the project can return for formal consideration. No final approvals were adopted at this meeting; the project will proceed to formal ordinance introduction, technical review, and required public hearings.

Quotations: "The commission recommended approval with variances included in the PUD and a series of conditions of approval," Jennings said. Developer Michael Fasone added, "We're the developer; McShane Construction will be the local general contractor," and described the plan for access and parking.

What comes next: Staff will draft ordinances consistent with the P&Z recommendation, the developer must satisfy technical conditions (fire-lane slope documentation; Lake County wetlands review; rooftop screening if visible), and the ordinances will return for formal action and roll call votes at a subsequent meeting.