Council To Vote On 7-Story Apartment Building In Downers Grove

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The Downers Grove Village Council is poised to vote on a proposal to build a seven-story apartment building in the 4900 block of Forest Avenue.

The proposed development would span three lots, two of which are currently occupied by office buildings that are not in use, according to village documents.

Petitioners 4 Corners LLC plan for the red brick apartment building to offer a total of 62 one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The development would also have 89 parking spots in a parking garage that will occupy the first two floors and be accessible via Forest Avenue and the alley to the east of the building.

A planned unit development amendment, a zoning map amendment and a special use permit are being requested by 4 Corners LLC. At the Dec. 2 Planning and Zoning Commission, members gave the requests a positive recommendation.

The proposals had their first readings at the Jan. 7 village council meeting.

Concerns were raised about the alley east of the property, which is currently 14 feet wide and will have an additional three feet added. Commissioner Michael Davenport questioned whether it would be difficult for residents to turn into and out of the alley. Petitioners responded that turning studies had been done for the garage and that the alley allowance was larger than those in some of their other properties.

Davenport also inquired whether the design could be tweaked to allow for more articulation of the building's foundation and its rear-facing exterior, which would be visible from Main Street. The petitioners said their architect would consider that request.

Davenport then thanked petitioners, saying, "I think it's going to be something that we're really proud of and glad to have here in town."

"I'm excited to see this come to fruition with some of the suggestions that have been made tonight," Commissioner Chris Gilmartin said.

The items are on the active agenda for the Jan. 14 village council meeting.