Extension granted for planned three-story development in Kenilworth

Kenilworth officials are hoping a second extension to a previously approved agreement will help keep progress moving on a prized development opportunity in the village.

The village’s board of trustees on Tuesday, Feb. 18, approved a third amendment to the town’s purchase and sale agreement with Daniel and John Michael for the vacant parcel of land located at 604 Green Bay Road.

As first reported by The Record, village officials approved an agreement to sell the village-owned land to Daniel and John, of Arya Capital, in March of 2024.

The agreement has since undergone a few revisions, including the approved extension that now grants the development team until April 22 of this year to secure zoning entitlement approval for the project.

Arya Capital is proposing a three-story, mixed-use development for the parcel, according to village documents detailing the development team’s plans.

Current plans say the development would include two commercial spaces on the ground floor and eight “luxury dwelling units” across the second and third floors.

Planners are pitching a total of 12 on-site parking spaces in garages that would have access from Sterling Road. The project also includes a roof deck that would be open to residents and feature outdoor amenities, such as grills and seating areas, per project plans.

According to village documents, the official sale of the property won’t be finalized until “the purchaser obtains the necessary development related approvals.” Officials say that the agreement does not waive any of the standard approval processes that would be required for any similar development in Kenilworth’s business district.

Village Manager Katarzyna Thake said during the Feb. 18 meeting that Kenilworth’s Architectural Review Commission will on Feb. 19 consider an application for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the proposed project.

Per Thake, the development team requested the second extension “for the purpose of providing additional time to secure zoning entitlement approval.” Thake said earlier in the session that the project is currently in the “inspection period.”

The proposal still has a “long way to go,” Thake noted, adding that the Village was agreeable to an extension to “keep a pulse on (the project) and just keep it moving along.”

“We’re hoping that they will move along in the process,” Thake said. “But depending on what the feedback is going to be from the ARC and from the plan commission, it could be another potential extension,” she added, saying the village preferred to keep the extension window shorter.

Kenilworth’s Plan Commission will need to also review and consider the proposal before the project comes to the village board for consideration.

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