Village OKs Special Zoning For Arlington Heights Development

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL -- A sprawling development at the southeast corner of Arlington Heights and Algonquin roads is one step closer to fruition after the village board approved less restrictive zoning requirements this past week for the "overlay district." Jeffrey Bernstein, the principal and co-president of Bradford Allen, said his real estate firm already owns several businesses at the corner, including a five-story office building and drive-through bank, the shuttered Applebee's restaurant and Cash for Gold business and the former five-story Daily Herald office, according to the Daily Herald. The firm is working with a master developer on plans to create a mixed-use area that spans 17 total acres and includes multi-family homes, restaurants, offices, entertainment and possibly a hotel.

The village board approved the overlay district 8-0 and allowed for changes in its zoning rules to make the development possible, according to the article. Those changes include allowing building heights up 200 feet, which strays from the village's rules for downtown buildings up to 140 feet high; a sidewalk set back 8 to 10 feet from the curb instead of right next to streets; and different requirements for parking space for the potential residential units on the property. Village code typically requires two parking spaces per unit but the new rules call for 1.5 spaces per one-bedroom unit and one space per studio unit, according to the article.

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