A Pennsylvania-based developer has decided to withdraw and revise plans for the development of the 51-acre Bethany Seminary site in Lombard rather than face certain denial by village officials.
The decision by Anatus Inc. was announced last week before a scheduled vote on an annexation and development agreement affecting the land at Butterfield and Meyers Roads. Village trustees indicated they would approve the annexation but not the development plan.
Village officials clearly want to annex the parcel of land but are concerned about the density of the devlopment plan, which included food, department and sporting goods stores and three restaurants.
“If they don’t make major revisions to the plan, then the issue is dead,”said Village President William Mueller.
Opponents of the plan include residents who view the park-like setting as one the few remaining green spaces in a sea of commercial development and homeowners who fear a sizable increase in traffic if more retail space is created.
