Multifamily apartment building, aquatic facility approved, despite opposition
By Andrea Earnest | Bugle Staff
aearnest@buglenewspapers.com
@DownersGrvBugle
The village of Westmont earlier this month approved a planned development unit project at the Hilton Oak Brook Hills Resort property.
Trustees voted in favor of the project during a special board meeting Sept. 8. The approval came after several months of meetings and discussions, during which a fair amount of resident opposition came to the surface.
The Harp Group came to the Westmont Village Board with a proposal to build a multifamily apartment building on the 18-acre property, located at 3500 Midwest Road.
Plans include the construction of a 65,000-square-foot natatorium – a building that contains a swimming pool – and a six-story apartment building with seven stories of parking and 250 units. There would be 1,781 parking spaces provided on-site.
The property, which would be named World Class Westmont, will feature both one- and two-bedroom apartments. Planned amenities include luxury finishes, a fitness center, shuttle bus for residents, car washing station within parking structure, an outdoor pool with cabanas and a fire pit, and a three-quarter-mile walking path.
MaryAnn Kaufman, of FMC Aquatic Opportunities, spoke to the board about the natatorium, which she said will be designed as one of the fastest competition pools in the country for both 50-meter (Olympic pool) and 25-yard course events.
“We are delighted by the opportunity to bring the natatorium to the village of Westmont,” Kaufman said. “We look forward to working with the Westmont Park District, along with with the schools in the community, and with the wonderful people here who showed such heartwarming support for our idea.”
Major water polo, diving and masters swimming events will be held at the natatorium. According to the village, the complex is expected to bring visitors and competitors from all over the world.
Peter Dumon, president of the Harp Group, also addressed the board about plans for the resort property. In addition to an increased demand for luxury family apartments, he said the natatorium would be available for public use and doesn’t require any public financing.
Dumon added that the building would have a “green roof.” Developers would work with Omni Ecosystems on the green roof, which could support crops or grass.
According to Dumon, the building will also be LEED certified – the first building in Westmont to achieve that certification.
During the Sept. 8 meeting, Harp Group attorney Dan Shapiro addressed legal concerns raised by various stakeholders opposed to the project.
“The moment is now for this community, this opportunity,” he said. “This project is an amazing project that doesn’t come to communities very often.”
Some who opposed the project stated that it may not align with the village’s comprehensive plan. However, Shapiro argued that the plan is a guide; not a mandate.
A slideshow presented by Harp at the meeting listed numerous residents and businesses in the community who support the project, including the Oakwood Homeowners Association Board, DuPage County Board Chairman Daniel J. Cronin, President of the Westmont Chamber of Commerce Al Carson, DuPage Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Beth Marcetti, and several individual residents and members of the community.
Attorney Richard Cremieux, a partner at lawfirm Baker & McKenzie, told the Westmont Village Board that he opposed the project. Cremieux, who represented popular plush toy company Ty Warner, owns 11 properties surrounding Ty Warner Park in Westmont.
Over the years, Warner has purchased many properties in the village. Cremieux said Warner is concerned that this project will adversely affect Ty Warner Park and his properties in the village.
“He believes that the proposal is in clear violation of existing zoning codes and the village’s comprehensive plan,” Cremieux said, adding that the comprehensive plan notes residents’ opposition to additional rental housing.
Oak Brook Village President Gopal Lalmalani also spoke in opposition to the project at the special board meeting.
“I’m coming to you on behalf of the village of Oak Brook and the residents of Oak Brook, who are certainly very, very disappointed at the turn of events at that area,” he told the board.
Lalmalani stated Oak Brook’s strong opposition to the project, which will be adjacent to his village’s southern boundary.
Lalmalani said several neighborhoods are located near this boundary, and he is concerned about the density of the development and traffic issues.
“We are concerned about safety and the detriment of such a very high-density development on the property values of the adjacent property owners,” Lalmalani added.
All of these potential negatives, according to the village president, would outweigh any possible economic benefits. Lalmalani concluded his comments by urging Westmont’s mayor and village board to agree with the plan commission’s recommendation to oppose the project.
Many residents who spoke at the meeting liked the idea of the natatorium. Several representatives from nearby swim clubs and teams expressed their excitement for the complex, which would provide a space large enough to hold state swim meets.
Westmont trustee James Addington said several residents have approached him and expressed their support of the development, while trustee Bruce Barker said he didn’t understand the argument that 250 apartments posed a threat to people and neighbors.
Trustee Marie Johanik-Guzzo was also in favor of the project.
“I think this project is a win-win for the village,” she said, thanking the staff and community for working together. “I know we aren’t going to please everybody, but personally…, I feel this is a win-win for us.”
The board approved all of the motions associated with the project, including necessary zoning changes.
In a release from the village, Mayor Ron Gunter expressed his own approval of the project.
“I’m proud that our village board listened to all sides of the conversation regarding this proposal,” he said. “Ultimately, the board feels that this project will be good for Westmont.”
According to developers, this project could generate hundreds of millions of dollars over the next 20 years in total economic impact to Westmont in the form of increased retail sales, real estate taxes, hotel-motel taxes, utilities and new jobs. The project will be financed through private investment, according to the Harp Group, and taxpayer dollars will not be used as a project incentive or investment.