Resident Sues Village, Developer over Marriott’s Plan in Wilmette
A neighbor of the Residence Inn by Marriott is seeking an injunction against the project, which is scheduled to break ground this summer.
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A neighbor of a planned Marriott hotel in Wilmette filed a lawsuit May 30, claiming the project was inappropriately approved, according to TribLocal.
In April, the Village Board approved the six-story, 130 room Residence Inn by Marriott hotel, 3201 Old Glenview Road, despite objections from neighbors. Wilmette residents who oppose the development say it does not match the character of the existing neighborhood and could affect property values.
Wilmette resident Larry Rogers alleges in the lawsuit that the village did not comply with procedures or local ordinances regarding the planned unit development process, TribLocal reported. For the full story, visit: Triblocal.com/Wilmette-Kenilworth
Several residents also raised this point during the April 10 village board meeting.
Wilmette resident Gary Berkovich told trustees he did not believe the developer met the conditions of the planned unit development requirements as stated in the zoning ordinance, according to village documents.
At a March village board meeting, Wilmette resident Randy Gerber objected to the hotel’s appearance.
“I'm not a billionaire, like the owner of White Lodging, but I can afford more brick than he can,” Gerber said. “I would think if we'd build a hotel in Wilmette, we'd want it to be a crown jewel and show it off. This is an embarrassment.”
Proponents of the plan, however, say the Marriott development would help Wilmette.
“Everyone fears what is not already a known quantity. I fear vacant buildings and a stagnant tax base, especially for our schools, and this is Wilmette School District 39, which is small and our taxes are already pretty steep,” Wilmette resident Steve Messutta wrote to Patch in a Letter to the Editor.
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Willie Wilmette
1:44 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
What is that huge building just to the south?
I think Wilmette would be fine tax-wise even without any businesses, sure they help but tax revenues should be low on the list of priorities. That said, the location seems not great, but very good for a hotel. It will be located close to similar buildings to the south 7 the Edens to the west. Their are two house just to the north & a few to the west that will be affected, but traffic should not be affected much because traffic will that Central to Old Glenview Rd.
Willie Wilmette
1:46 pm on Tuesday, June 5, 2012
I am assuming that there is reasonable setback from the residential area.