Western Springs Housing Developments Planned

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – The Western Springs Village Board this week heard plans for two housing developments.

Last year, KLM Development, owned by Felix Lampariello, received approval for a mixed-use development in the village's downtown at 514 Hillgrove Avenue.

It was set to be three floors, with the first for commercial space and the other two containing eight condos.

The vacant lot is two blocks east of Village Hall and between an office building and a doctor's office.

According to a village memo last week, supply chain problems, inflation and other issues impeded the project. Now, Lampariello is asking for a fourth floor, which would include two more condos. That addition would make the project successful, he said.

The setback for the fourth floor would be 20 feet from the front of the building. The idea is that the fourth-floor condos would be far enough back, so they would not significantly add to the bulk of the building, according to the memo.

"When you look at, you really can't see the fourth floor, except if you are significantly farther away," Trustee James John said at Monday's Village Board meeting.

Lampariello told the board his company would be providing a "much-needed, exclusive development of superior quality" that meets local needs and desires.

"This would also help the village by loosening housing stock, adding substantial real estate tax and property tax revenue, increasing property values and overall, bringing a new vibrancy to the downtown area," said Lampariello, a longtime Western Springs resident.

Village President Alice Gallagher responded, "As times change and as we modernize, this is a suitable accommodation."

Meanwhile, a five-unit townhome development is proposed for 17 W. Ogden Ave., the site of the old Mike and Henry's Auto Service Shop.

Last year, the property was sold to Tower Real Estate Development, led by Steve Blentlinger and Patrick Kinsella. It is now zoned for single-family housing, but the developer is asking the board to change it to multifamily.

Despite the site's history, Blentlinger told the board that it poses no environmental danger.

"The tanks were removed about 20 years ago, in 1998. So there is no leaking that will get into the local environment," he said.

Gallagher said it was a good use of the space.

"Thank you for investing in the community," Gallagher said.

The Village Board is expected to vote on the residential projects at a later meeting.

A five-unit town home project is planned for 17 W. Ogden Ave. in Western Springs, the site of the old Mike & Henry's Auto Service shop. (Google Maps)