Highwood Withholds Permit Over 'Illegally Constructed' Signage

HIGHWOOD, IL — The developer of a senior living facility at the site of the former Hotel Moraine in Highwood added "improperly constructed and unacceptable" blue signage to the building and will not be able to operated the recently-completed renovations until it is removed.

The conversion of the once-blighted property at 700 Sheridan Road into a 104-unit rental facility aimed at seniors, a development called Highwood Towers, is nearly complete. Its plans were approved in as a planned unit development August 2015, but the developer ended up making significant changes to them.

"They have constructed many items that are not in compliance with the initial approval," city staff said.

Highwood City Council approved a resolution Tuesday requiring owner Branko Tupanjac to remove some signage and lighting and approving other changes. He will need to make the changes before he can receive a certificate of occupancy for the building, Pioneer Press reported.

The Highwood Appearance Review Commission said in a June 12 memo the changes to the approved plan were unacceptable. They included a changed building footprint, "totally different" windows, portico canopies, a "completely different" exterior color scheme and a "considerably different" exterior stucco treatment.

"After nearly three years of plan approvals, permits and construction — Allan Olsen Architects presented a photo document of the 'finished' project. He was unable to explain how or why significant changes to the original plan occurred," the commission wrote.

As it's explained in a May 2018 project narrative, Tupanjac "chose to retain the 'Hotel Moraine' script-style sign facing north on the building as part of the more recognizable landmarks upon entering Highwood from the north — an additional sign has been added to clarify," warding off potential itinerants who might be fooled with an addition of lettering below reading "Lifestyle Residences" in blue.

Highwood city staff said in a memo to council council member the appearance commission advised they were no longer willing to provide any recommendations about the project "as the developer has not respected the previously approved plans." Staff said there have been frequent inspections of the property during construction.

The commission said it had questioned the revisions to the plans repeatedly over the past two and a half years without receiving answers. City staff rejected the commission's assertion.

"Their statement that no answers have been provided to them is false, as staff has regularly updated them on the compliance strategy," the staff memo said.

Pioneer Press reported the hotel has been shuttered since 2006. It opened in 1971 as a Ramada Inn and later operated as the Highwood Inn before undergoing millions of dollars worth of renovations.

According to the Highland Park Historical Society, it was purchased in 1985 by local restaurateur William Pigati and its name was changed to the Hotel Moraine. Its name was inspired by the former Hotel Moraine-on-the-Lake in Highland Park, which existed on the site of what is now Moraine Park from 1898 to 1972.

A partner of the new residential development told Highland Park News they hope to open the doors by the start of August with the $4,500 monthly rent covering three meals a day and housekeeping. There's also a 30,000 commercial space intended for a grocery store on the ground floor. The developer told the paper he had yet to identify a tenant for the site.

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