Faced with a deluge of opposition, the City Council has voted to reject drafting a proposed ordinance that would have cleared the way for a sprawling commercial/residential development in the city.
The 6-4 vote effectively killed plans for St. Andrews Square, which was planned on more than 230 acres at the southwest corner of Illinois Highway 59 and North Avenue. The project called for about 450 single-family homes and town homes, along with 500,000 square feet of retail space, to be anchored by Menards, a home improvement warehouse.
“What bothers us is that $4 million in tax revenues were turned down by the West Chicago City Council,” said Mark Gershon, an attorney representing the primary landowners, West Chicago Joint Ventures. “We’re exploring options.”
The proposal had previously received unanimous backing from the city’s Planning Commission. But more than 50 residents turned out and applauded the council’s opposition, citing fears of increased residential density and lower property values.
More than 800 citizen petitions opposing the project were delivered to the council, in addition to previously submitted petitions.
