Official Disappointed In Elmhurst Development Decision

ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst alderman on Monday said he was disappointed the city rejected a proposed nine-story building.

Earlier this month, the City Council voted 11-1 against the proposed condo complex at 196 to 202 N. York St., across from City Hall.

The council took a final vote Monday, with the vote 9-3 against.

Favoring the project were Mike Brennan, Michael Honquest and Jacob Cahill. Brennan voted for it both times, while Honquest and Cahill were absent at the previous meeting.

Nearby residents had complained about the height of the proposed building.

In his comments, Honquest said many areas need to be redeveloped as Elmhurst closes in on 150 years.

"I'm disappointed that this developer got this far along and there wasn't some middle ground on height," he said. "Even if it were a story shorter, this ($30 to $40 million) project and the revenue it would generate for the city and the schools, to me, is a no-brainer."

He said the city could have used money from the neighborhood's tax increment financing district, or TIF, to negotiate a deal with the developer.

The developer previously suggested reducing the height in exchange for TIF dollars to make up for what the developer believed to be decreased profitability. But the use of public money for developers is a sore spot for many residents.

Honquest, who is not running for another term in next month's election, said one of his first votes a decade ago was over approval of the Elmhurst 255 apartments at 255 N. Addison Ave.

"The project was not a very good financial project for the city," he said. "It was probably a loser with the amount of money we had to invest to make it happen, standing by itself. What it started was a rejuvenation in downtown Elmhurst."

He added, "Addison (Avenue) should not be the nicest street in Elmhurst. York should, and it's going to take some work to get some of these buildings to be redeveloped."

Brennan explained the reasoning for his vote earlier this month. Cahill did not speak, however.

The lawyer for the developer, Oak Brook-based RSCK Holdings, hinted last month that the company may go to court if the city rejected its proposal.

Under city code, the developer could only build up to six stories, unless the council granted an exception.