Developers seeking to build on the former Solo Cup property in Highland Park have gotten more time to prepare for an upcoming city public hearing.
A Plan and Design Commission hearing was scheduled for Oct. 17 about the proposed development, at which the developer was expected to have updated information about traffic, noise, pollution and other potential issues raised by commissioners and residents at a previous meeting.
However, the Red Cup Land Company, the applicant for the proposed development, requested more time to provide the requested information, according to city officials.
The Plan and Design Commission will conduct its regular meeting on Oct. 17, but the agenda will not include any matters related to the proposed development. A new hearing date has not yet been determined, but will be announced when available, according to city officials.
The Red Cup Land Company is the current owner of the vacant Solo Cup site at 1700 Old Deerfield Road.
On the 28-acres, the company has proposed constructing two buildings — one at 183,300 square feet, the other 127,050 square feet — 590 off-street parking spaces; 46 exterior docks and two drive-in doors, with another 31 proposed docks between the two buildings; and other accessory changes to the site including landscaping and exterior lighting.
Proposed uses for the facility are manufacturing, processing, storage, wholesale, distribution operations and limited commercial uses, according to a memo for the Plan and Design Commission.
Representatives for the developer declined to comment.
A traffic assessment by the applicant indicates a total of 490 one-way trips per day, 61 truck trips and 429 passenger vehicles. A total of 590 on-site parking spaces are proposed, even though the city’s required number of spaces is 496.
At a Plan and Design meeting on Aug. 22, commissioners and residents expressed concern over the number of vehicles that would be added to Old Deerfield Road -— that the added traffic would interfere with nearby elementary schools and emergency vehicle response times.
Chairperson Walter Hainsfurther asked the developer to reflect on the comments and return with updated information, including a traffic study that includes bicycle traffic and the impact on the surrounding neighborhood.
In a memo from city staff, comments from the Public Works Forestry Unit indicate the department would not be in support of the development as proposed due to substantial tree removal for the development that violates city code.
Based on staff, public and commissioner comments, Hainsfurther requested a response from the developer in regards to scaling back the development, reports on noise and air pollution, a study on impact to neighbors, stormwater mitigation, landscaping, parking demand, a lighting plan (including controlled turn off at appropriate times) and a list of potential tenants.
City staffers said they cannot comment on prospective developments outside of a public hearing.
In 2019, the city considered a proposal for 500 housing units at the vacant Solo Cup property. Residents also raised traffic concerns at that time, and ultimately the housing proposal was not approved.
