Sterling Bay spec warehouse plan nixed over traffic, environmental concerns

The prolific Chicago developer was seeking a height variance on a suburban property near a forest preserve

City officials rejected Sterling Bay’s bid to build a spec warehouse in Darien over traffic and environmental concerns.

The prolific Chicago developer wanted a height variance to build the 153,000-square-foot facility with 31 truck bays on a 10-acre property on the South Side of Interstate 55 just east of Cass Avenue where zoning allows structures as tall as 35 feet, according to The Doings, a suburban weekly newspaper.

Sterling Bay wanted the variance to build a 39-foot-tall warehouse, saying industrial tenants need the taller ceilings to accommodate their equipment.

City officials rejected the request this week in light of residents’ opposition to it. Some 2,500 people signed a petition opposing it, worried about truck traffic and how the facility could affect the 2,500-acre Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve next door.

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Sterling Bay spokeswoman Sarah Hamilton said the company is looking at the council¹s recommendations and will make adjustments as needed.

The developer has been a prolific in Fulton Market, and has plans for the massive 70-acre Lincoln Yards development along the North Branch of the Chicago River.

In the past year it has spent some $1.5 billion acquiring high-profile office properties Downtown, and has continued to pursue more acquisitions in the past few weeks. [The Doings] — John O’Brien