New retail center proposed for Avon site in Glenview

Former Avon property

Updated: January 21, 2013 2:52PM

GLENVIEW — A Mariano’s grocery store, retail center and a three-story residential complex in Glenview could be coming to the former Avon Products site.

On Dec. 11, trustees agreed to a memorandum of understanding with developer Regency Centers.

Under the memo, the developer is required to get village approval of several regulatory changes and variations to the property on Waukegan Road, between Overlook Drive and Golf Road.

The apartment building would offer 238 units with parking spaces located within the complex just south of Overlook Drive.

To the south, a 75,000-square-foot Mariano’s is planned with a 30,000-square-foot retail/bank center.

The Glenview Plan Commission is scheduled to begin reviewing the project Jan. 8.

A village report stated Regency needed more than $4.7 million for infrastructure improvements, and the memorandum of understanding said the village will provide up to $3.5 million of the cost by adopting a Tax Increment Financing district.

In return, Regency agrees to proceed with the zoning regulatory process and close on acquiring the land.

Trustee Paul Detlefs said current village revenues will not help fund the project, but from money generated in the TIF.

“This needs to be clear to the public,” he said.

Trustee Scott Britton added, “The project is not a final deal. We’ve reached out to other taxing jurisdictions, like school districts 34 and 219. They’ve both shown no substantial objections.”

The TIF would expire in 10-12 years.

In December 2011, Regency Centers submitted an application to the village to include a McGrath Audi car dealership.

McGrath currently has a dealership at 301 Waukegan Road.

However, McGrath pulled out when the review process stopped and tabled until February.

Nearby homeowners and businesses expressed concerned when Overlook Drive was designated in the plan as the main road into the shopping center.

“And McGrath was concerned with the extended approval process and time it would take,” said Don Owen, deputy village manager.

A key traffic modification proposed to handle higher traffic volumes was installing a midblock traffic signal on Waukegan Road between Overlook Drive and Golf.

The signal would provide access to Mariano’s.

Other traffic improvements included:

• a southbound left turning lane from Waukegan Road into the development

• a northbound right turning lane from Waukegan Road into the development

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