Five-story apartment complex would create shadows, so we’re suing: Glenview neighbors

Two homeowner associations filed suit in Cook County against the village to stop Drake Group’s project

Rendering of Drake Group’s site in Glenview (corner of Glenview Road and Pine) (Credit: Drake Group via Crains)
Rendering of Drake Group’s site in Glenview (corner of Glenview Road and Pine) (Credit: Drake Group via Crains)

A developer with plans for a five-story apartment building in Glenview has encountered very litigious neighbors.

The group of homeowners from two neighboring townhouse blocks filed suit on June 1 alleging that Drake Group’s 68-unit project is too large for the site, according to Crain’s.

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In March, the village trustees approved the project, located on the site of a parking lot and vacant hardware store on Glenview Road. But neighbors say that decision should be voided. (The suit only names the municipality, not the developer.)

The NIMBY neighbors argue that the Drake Group’s project is “ultra-dense” and will cast “a shadow” over neighboring properties, according to Crain’s. They also allege the village didn’t provide enough input and violates the village’s downtown master plan agreement.

The site, located near the train station, has been vacant for roughly a decade. The village bought the site for $2.22 million in January 2017 and plans to sell it to Drake for about $1.53 million, according to Crain’s. The lawsuit claims that a state statute doesn’t permit municipalities to sell properties for losses over 20 percent. Beyond the 68 units, Drake Group plans for one full floor of commercial space [Crain’s]James Kleimann