Developer presents hotel-and-EV charging concept for Southwest Frontage Road site

Bill Slavic, the property owner and developer, presented multiple concept layouts for land along Sile Road between Southwest Frontage Road and the I‑55/I‑80 ramps, telling the Village Board the designs generally include two hotels, a quick-serve restaurant and small retail with electric-vehicle (EV) charging under solar canopies.

"There'll be solar panels on top of the canopies, which will provide some of the electricity for the electrical vehicle charging," Slavic said, describing how canopy-mounted solar would offset power needs for on-site chargers. Slavic and staff emphasized the plans are conceptual: final configurations will depend on which hotel operator and flag ultimately commits to the site and on sewer availability.

Trustees and residents pressed the developer and staff on neighborhood protections and traffic. Public works staff said engineers will run traffic studies as part of the project review and that Christopher Burke will review traffic analyses; they did not expect the project to automatically trigger a new traffic signal at Sile Road. Several trustees and one resident recommended a substantial noise and visual buffer between the project and adjacent homes, suggesting dense landscaping or a highway-style concrete wall in places. Slavic said he intends to push buildings toward the highway side in some plans to maximize separation.

Staff noted a past 2019 annexation agreement for the nearby Restoration Church allowed septic service at the time; Slavic's improvements will enable the church to connect to sanitary sewer at the church's agreed pick-up point. Slavic said sewer work will be done on a pro rata basis with the church per prior arrangements.

The board offered informal feedback and no formal action was taken; staff said next steps include design refinements, traffic analysis and coordination with potential hotel operators.