Target Talks to Continue in Lake Bluff

Discussion of the new Target store proposed for Lake Bluff will continue at two upcoming meetings of the Joint Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals (PCZBA).

Zoning regulations for the establishment of a planned commercial development for the former Shepard Chevrolet property at 930 Carriage Park Ave., near Route 176 and Waukegan Road, will be discussed at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 20.

Target is proposing a within this major redevelopment project, which also calls for a 4,200 square-foot bank and 6,800 square feet for other retail tenants.

Site development review for Target, including results of a traffic study, will continue at the April 17 PCZBA meeting.

The closest store to Lake Bluff, a Super Target, is located at 313 E. Townline Road in Vernon Hills. The store proposed for Lake Bluff will not be a Super Target, though it would offer pre-packaged food items

Last month, Patch polled residents to ask whether they thought Lake Bluff needed a Target store and whether it was a good fit for the character of the village.

Sixty-four percent of voters indicated they wanted the store, though comments showed mixed reviews:

"On the positive side, it will yield some sales tax revenue for the village. On the other side of the ledger, village officials and residents might wish to carefully explore the consequences: more traffic; more public safety officers; and diminishing the future prospects of its rejuevanated village business center."

"A Target in this location would not make a bit of difference to the 'character' in downtown Lake Bluff. I'm all for the Target but have reserves about other retail businesses going in that area. We have too many strip malls vacant."

"Target will wind up being like Walgreens or Marshall Fields; one on every corner. There already is the one in Vernon Hills and another on 41 in Highland Park that never seems to be very busy; this one is too close. It doesn't make sense to me."

"Yes to a Target! Good retail revitalizes more retail. I hope all residents can appreciate how important this is to the economic feasibility of our village."

Related:

Target Store at the Center of Proposed Redevelopment in Lake Bluff

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