Local Retailer: County's Vague Plan May Hurt Village

Although Lake County Government has made concessions regarding the potential future uses of a 172-acre parcel of land at the northwest corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Winchester Road, at least one downtown Libertyville retailer still has serious concerns about a portion of the plan.

Kitty Testa, owner of Whatsit & Doohicky Co., says she is concerned about the Optional Development Zone, an 18-acre parcel that was listed in Lake County Government's petition for a special use permit. Winchester House is currently located on the site.

"I think one of the most interesting characteristics of the county's plan is that it isn't a plan - it's vague and there's a lot of speculation," Testa said. "If they eventually build any kind of businesses on that site, I really don't think it's a good thing to be doing during this kind of an economic downturn.

Master Plan

In the 20-year master plan the county submitted to the village, it did not rule out someday using the site for residential or commercial development. There are no current plans for the lot but the possibility has been discussed by county officials during a series of Libertyville Plan Commission hearings.

"If you drive down Milwauke Avenue in the downtown area, there are a lot of open storefronts still," Testa added. "Any sort of new businesses could potentially have an adverse effect on the existing ones downtown, many of which are struggling because of the economy. I mean, sure, the are a number of anchor businesses, but there are also a lot of stores that keep coming and going - and that's not good."

Libertyville Director of Community Development John Spoden did his best to quell the fears of Testa and other retailers when he talked with Patch last week. In fact, an April 11 hearing at the Libertyville Civic Center has been continued, at the county's request, until May 9th, so that residents can attempt to come to additional agreements with Lake County representatives.

"Number one, the County isn't currently proposing anything at that corner at all," Spoden said referring to the corner of Winchester Road and Milwaukee Avenue.

Spoden did, however, acknowledge that the county has discussed the possibility of redevloping the parcel during Plan Commission hearings.

"If that happened, down the road, it would definitely be the village's position that we wouldn't want any type of use on that site that would be in competition with existing businesses," Spoden said. "If there ever was such a plan approved it would have to go through a full public hearing. It's natural to be concerned about what goes there."

Spoden says that by definition, a master plan like the one the county submitted, "is going to be general."

'Unfair Advantage'

Testa said she hopes the county never submits any kind of commercial development proposal for the site.

"If the county develops that site into a retail section of any kind, they have an unfair advantage because they could potentially offer spaces to businesses at a lower cost than other local retailers," Testa said. "When did the county even start discussing the possibility of being in business? The county shouldn't ever be running a for-profit organization, and they shouldn't be in the business of being in business."

"The County has enough of its own budget problems to be worried about planning for something like this, even if it doesn't ever happen," Testa added. "Where would the money come from to develop this portion of the land?"

Village Needs New Tactics

Testa says that while she respects and appreciates every public official serving the community, she feels attracting customers to the downtown area is difficult enough as it is.

"I understand the village wants the downtown and Main Street area to have a certain look," Testa said. "But, especially in these changing economic times, the village should really strongly consider changing its tactics."

For one, Testa thinks the village has too many restrictions.

"You can't have lighted signs, there are trees - as wonderful as they are - that block the view of many of the storefronts ... and then we have this wonderful new parking structure that's hidden from everyone's view driving through downtown. Most people who aren't from around here drive through this area and have no idea the new parking spaces are there because there are no signs letting them know."

She suggests the village have flyers available in Cook Park, train station, or places where it would help raise awareness that there is additional parking in the downtown area.

"It's no accident that the village's sales tax revenue has been steadily declining," Testa said. "But this isn't just an economic downturn, or a trend. This is a complete change in the way business is being conducted in our area, and all over the county. Which is why I'm even more concerned about any plan the county could have in the future that may compete with local businesses."