WEST LOOP — A developer has plans to build an 11-story mixed-use building at Aberdeen and Lake streets, but first the group will need a zoning change.
The project by MCZ Development, headed by developer Michael Lerner, at 165 N. Lake St. would include 75 apartments, retail and office space. The residential floors would feature a mix of convertible and one-bedroom units with a few two-bedroom options for an average apartment size of 780 square feet.
Nitel, a telecommunications service provider now located near the development at 1101 W. Lake St., plans to move into the dedicated office space the new Lake Street building, according to Todd Mullen, a project manager with Lerner's firm.
Under the developer's plan, the building, which features a masonry base with a modern residential tower, would include 140 parking spots on site, according to Mullen. There would also be about 38 bike parking spaces.
At a community meeting this week, neighbors were split on the new development. While some neighbors contend the development fits in with the city's Land Use Plan for the neighborhood, others had concerns about parking and the building's height.
KC Geen, who lives in the condo building at 1101 W. Lake St., said eliminating an existing parking lot at the site and adding 11 stories that would house employees and tenants would create a strain on the already parking-strapped neighborhood.
"Adding 11 stories versus five stories is going to create a huge impact overnight and I don't think [the neighborhood] can handle it," she said at the community forum, held at Venue One, a meeting center at 1034 W. Randolph St.
Armando Chacon, president of the West Central Association, and Bob Aiken, vice president of Neighbors of the West Loop, said the community groups have yet to take a formal position on the development.
Chacon noted this week that the 11-story height of the building is in line with the city's Land Use Plan.
Attorney Nick Ftikas, representing the developer, said the building would provide one parking spot for every rental unit, above the city's requirement, and an additional 65 parking spots for office employees and retail customers.
"[The plan] would overpark the eventual users of the building," he said. "I don't believe every person working there is going to require a parking space. There are going to be some people who bike, some people who park, some people who take the train."
The development would be located 2 ½ blocks from the Morgan "L" station.
During non-business hours, residents would also be allowed to use parking spots dedicated for retail and office space as overflow parking, according to the development team.
Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) plans to meet with the developer to address neighborhood concerns but the new development in the rapidly changing West Loop area is inevitable, he said.
"Regardless of whether this is built or not, I can't see this [lot] staying a parking lot. You won't see development tailored toward the people who park there," Burnett said.
Under MCZ's plan, the Lake Street building would allow pets and a 500-square-foot dog park would be added to the building's roof.
The development group will seek a zoning change on the property before a general contractor is hired, Mullen said. Under a best-case scenario, foundation work on the lot would be begin this fall.
MCZ Development originally planned to develop 90 units on the site, according to Ftikas, but scaled down to 75 planned rental units.
In 2013, a developer planned to build 20 luxury condos at the former meat packing site, but that plan was abandoned.
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