Neighbors Wary of Increased Traffic if Whole Foods Arrives

By Daniel I. Dorfman

Neighbors voiced repeated concerns, primarily about increased traffic, at a meeting about a proposal to build a Whole Foods and other retail space in the western part of Lake Forest.

Whole Foods Market, Inc. the Austin, TX-based upscale supermarket chain, is looking to be an anchor tenant at the proposed development of the southeast corner of Route 60 and Saunders Road. But neighbors voiced concerns on traffic and overall appearance at an informational meeting of the city’s Plan Commission Wednesday night.

One neighbor, Mary Lou Reed, stated her opposition in rather blunt terms. “There is probably not enough lipstick in the world to make this pig acceptable,” she said.

Shiner Capital Partners, the developers of the property which is headquartered in Wilmette, would like to construct an approximate 45,000-square-foot Whole Foods store and then combine it with three smaller buildings possibly to be used as restaurants or other retail use, as well as a bank to round out the complex.

 “We’re not here unless Whole Foods is here,” noted William Shiner, the chairman and CEO of the Shiner Group. “We think Whole Foods is the perfect match for Lake Forest.”

Changes needed to move forward

For the plan to be constructed it would require an amended special use permit from the city because the property was originally designated for office use when the existing complex for the 40-acre site was approved in 2006. So far, only a portion of the property has been developed.

Then there is the issue of an existing mansion built in the 1930s that is now being used for office space. That structure would have to be razed to make room for the new buildings.

Only a portion of the plan commission was present. Two members were absent and another two recused themselves from citing potential conflicts of interest.

Neighbors voice traffic concerns

Some neighbors expressed concern traffic would spill onto Conway Farms Drive to access the development. That sentiment resonated with commission member Augie Ziccarelli. “I find it hard to believe that it won’t be the new cut through to the development,” he said.

To assuage some of the traffic concerns, a traffic engineer hired by the developer said they tested the idea of driving on Conway Farms repeatedly and found that it took more time to go that way in the first place.

The developers also proposed constructing a second left turn lane on westbound Route 60 to access southbound Saunders Road to ease traffic. That will be part of a much larger traffic impact study that will have to be presented to the plan commission once some modifications are incorporated.

Character of the area another issue

On another front, Greg Ewert, feared the proposal is another step in changing the city’s appearance and having it more of a commercial feel of Vernon Hills on the other side of Route 60.

“West Lake Forest is changing a lot,” he said. “Either we keep it the way it is and look for something else or we are going to be stuck with this forever.”

Supporters praise the idea

However, the plan did have its supporters from the neighborhood as well.

Anne Danner is the president and owner of RHA Homes, which is the company that built the existing condominium building in Amberley Roads and owns a vacant lot, where a second condominium building could be built one day.

She described Whole Foods as the “gold standard” in retail and added, “I think it is a great boon to the neighborhood and to Lake Forest.”

Former Alderman Ernie Ernest, who lives in the area, also believes this is a step in the right direction.

“I am pleased with the development personally because I am very aware of what the zoning could allow on that site such as the original office complex plan or a more traditional strip center,” Ernest said. “The lower density and divided out buildings are a real benefit.”

What’s next

At the end of the meeting, a Whole Foods executive said he was not surprised by what he heard. “We had balanced feedback from both sides and that is what I expected,” noted Vice President Scott Saulsberry.

While discussions between the Shiner Group and city staff have been ongoing for several months, Whole Foods has yet to sit down directly with the city to discuss moving in even though they announced in July that a move into Lake Forest was forthcoming. Saulsberry hopes that such a meeting will happen soon.

City staff will now digest the input they received at the meeting and address matters of traffic, tree removal, landscaping, drainage and streetscape on the Route 60 corridor. Community Development Director Catherine Czerniak sensed the issue would come back before the Plan Commission sometime after the first of the year.

There are 19 Whole Foods in the Chicago area right now, the closest one to Lake Forest is in Deerfield.

Czerniak also said the proposal will have to be reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission and the Building Review Board before getting the ultimate sign off by the City Council.