The Mt. Prospect Zoning Board of Appeals on Thursday night recommended approval of a zoning amendment that would allow construction of a 26,500-square-foot Borders Book Store at the Randhurst Shopping Center.
“It’s going to set a nice tone for the shopping center,” said Randhurst Manager Kevin Davies. “It’s going to reach a variety of different people of a variety of different ages.”
The free-standing, two-story bookstore would replace a vacant building at the northeast corner of Elmhurst, Rand and Kensington Roads that previously housed the La Hacienda Restaurant.
According to village planning coordinator Dan Ungerleider, Borders would be open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week and employ about 50 people.
It would carry a large inventory of books, recorded music and videos and would host appearances by authors, musicians and artists. The store would also feature a casual espresso cafe.
Automobile access to the book store will be from Randhurst’s ring road, and there will be parking for 152 cars, which exceeds the required minimum under the zoning code.
The recommendation includes a requirement that Randhurst extend the public sidewalk on the east side of Elmhurst Road north and south to connect with sidewalks bordering the property.
Randhurst officials disputed the necessity of the sidewalks but said they would continue negotiating this issue with the village. The bookstore is being asked to a build a walkway connecting the store entrance to the public sidewalk.
