Plans for Marriott Inn Near Final Approval

It was a late night Tuesday for hotel developers, Wilmette residents and their elected officials, as they spent roughly four hours at listening to explanations, questions and public denunciations over a proposed six-story hotel that could begin construction as early as May.

Council members voted and unanimously granted preliminary approval for a Marriott Inn at 3201 Old Glenview Rd. in Wilmette, which will head to the village Plan Commission for further review, then would need to go back to the council for final approval. The inn is being built by the Indiana-based White Lodging Services Corp.

Earlier:

“In my job as village president, one of the things that I need to do is try to make sure that folks in the outside world know how great the village is,” stressed Village President Christopher S. Canning. “I was very pleased with the opportunity when Marriott came and said, 'We would like to locate in Wilmette,' because [Wilmette] is a great brand.”

“I still believe [that] and I've believed for many years ... this is an outstanding brand,” Canning added.

Resident Randy Gerber of 138 Lockerbie Ln. opined, however, that “they have a certain brand [and] Wilmette has a certain brand—they don't match.”

Benefits and Risks

Upon completion, the residential inn—which oversteps certain zoning requirements, including property yard setbacks on all four sides, lot area and width, and the height cap—would take up approximately 91,000 square feet.

The inn's ideal clients are middle-aged travelers with a median household income of $140,000. Guests would have their choice of a studio, single bed or dual bedroom.

Concerns outlined by residents, many of whom live along Lockerbie Lane, which runs adjacent to the designated area, include increased traffic and crime, view obstruction from the hotel and the stench of garbage.

After hearing testimony from White Lodging officials, Brigitte Mayerhofer, Wilmette's Director of Engineering, and Wilmette's Finance Director Bob Amoruso, Canning argued that the hotel's rewards—such as improved storm-water retention and plumbing for the surrounding area, and property taxes amounting to $420,000 per year for the first 10 years, thereafter increasing to $450,000-per year, according to Amoruso—are worth the risk.

“There has to be better storm water management for this area,” along with improved water flow, Canning stressed. “To me these are positives.”

But residents weren't convinced.

“We have the best of intentions” as a village, said Candy Paul, also of 138 Lockerbie Ln. “But it has also been said, that's the road paved to you-know-where.”

Metaphors aside, rush-hour traffic along surrounding thoroughfares, primarily Lockwood Road and Old Orchard Road, is also a major concern. Canning and the developers assured the board, however, any traffic increases would be minimal.

After handing out copies to council members of research he'd done, Paul Berglund of 135 Lockerbie Ln. attempted to paint a bigger picture.

“There's 13, large hotels within a 15-minute drive of this location,” Berglund said. “No municipality on the north shore has allowed a hotel developer to put a hotel next to single family homes. Wilmette will be the first.”

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