Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Pud topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fox River Grove board approves rezoning for five-story Block B mixed-use development
Summary
The Village Board approved Ordinance 2026-11 on May 5 to rezone parts of Block B to B-2 and authorize a planned unit development for a five-story building with up to 97 apartments and about 6,000 sq. ft. of retail, following a 6-0 Planning & Zoning recommendation and board discussion of public-safety and parking concerns.
The Fox River Grove Village Board voted on May 5 to approve Ordinance 2026-11, rezoning portions of “Block B” and granting a special use for a planned unit development that will allow a five-story mixed-use building with up to 97 apartments and roughly 6,000 square feet of retail space.
Administrator Soderholm summarized the proposal and noted the Planning & Zoning Commission recommended approval by a 6-0 vote. The ordinance covers multiple addresses listed in the motion, including 301 and 303 Opatrny Drive and a sequence of Northwest Highway addresses that are part of the Block B parcel. Trustees approved the ordinance on a voice vote.
Several residents had raised concerns before the vote. Marv Psensky asked whether the proposed development would include a sprinkler system and whether the Fire Department has or will obtain equipment to fight fires in a five-story building and who would pay for any such equipment. Ron Hameetman asked for more public input on the Block B design and said a five-story building could create parking pressure; he said he preferred a three-story alternative. Diana Durso raised separate concerns about tree removal at 401 Algonquin Rd. that reduced canopy for nearby Concord properties and asked whether the village could fund replants for affected neighbors.
The applicants, represented at the meeting by Rick Filler (President, Harlem Irving) and Todd Berlinghof (partner, Hamilton Partners), were present to answer trustee questions. The ordinance rezones the specified Block B parcels from B-1 to B-2 and establishes the special-use parameters for the planned unit development as set out in the Fox River Grove Zoning Ordinance.
The board took no recorded action at the meeting to commit funds or to change fire-department equipment; trustees discussed those operational questions during public comment and the staff presentation but recorded no specific funding motion.
The measure passed during regular session; the board later adjourned to executive session before reconvening and adjourning for the evening at 7:31 p.m.
