Decision Delayed For Luxury Apartment Parking Exception

SHOREWOOD, WI — A luxury apartment building proposed for 4414 N. Oakland Avenue is seeking an exception to the village's parking code. The Plan Commission had slated a vote for Tuesday, but that vote will now be deferred until next month.

The development would be a "luxury residential community" on the corner of Oakland Avenue and Lake Bluff Boulevard called "The Eyrie," according to proposal documents submitted to the village. Documents submitted to the Village show that the development would have amenities such as exercise facilities, a community center, coffee bar, community workspace and an optional concierge service.

The deferral comes because some members of the advisory board felt the public needed more notice about the development. Proposal documents were obtained by the media, including Patch, early last week.

Eric Couto, one member of the commission, said that delaying the vote would provide more notice to the public.

Related: Luxury Apartment Building Proposed For Oakland Avenue

The developer, Wimmer Brothers Development Company, attended last nights meeting. Following the vote to delay the decision, representatives from Wimmer said they may not be able to attend a second meeting depending on when it is scheduled.

A full agenda packet that included the proposal documents went out to the public Friday afternoon. Hand-delivered notices went out to neighbors within 200 feet of the proposed development on Saturday.

Relevant documents on the apartment proposed for 4414 N Oakland Avenue the can be found starting on page 26.

The decision came as some members of the public, as well as the board, said that the public deserves more notice about the apartment and its respective parking exception. One member of the public said in the meeting that delaying the decision to allow for more time would help make people more comfortable.

Related: Capitol Drive Development Inches Ahead Through Public Backlash

The development would have at least one off-street parking spot for each unit. The development is geared toward young adults and empty nesters, and would only contain one and two bedroom apartments, according to proposal documents submitted to the village.

Some members of the public were overtly against the parking exception.

"Almost everyone has two cars. It would be a mess for that neighborhood. Make them dig down another parking floor," Donald E. Sorensen wrote to the commission. "Or cancel it."

Adam Carruthers, a resident of Shorewood, said that he relies on the parking in the former bank, and that the new development could impact the parking in the neighborhood overall. Available parking in the area and the flow of traffic are some of the concerns that Carruthers mentioned in his letter to the Plan Commission.

Another resident, Patricia Haugh, also submitted written comment to the board.

"If you want to make Shorewood a great place to live, stop making these decisions that are destroying Shorewood, like high-rises, impassible streets, and dangerous traffic because of the extra cars and poor street clearance and [sic] winter because of all the extra cars." Haugh said in the letter to the commission.