Whiteco Residential has canceled plans to ask for a change to a small portion of its development at the corner of Ontario Street and Harlem Avenue, a Village of Oak Park official said.
The developer had considered altering its plans to build six townhouses and instead build a six-unit condominium building just east of the main corner building, which will house 200 apartment units and Trader Joe’s specialty grocery store.
But the developer dropped that idea and will instead build five townhouses, said Bob Clements, redevelopment director for Oak Park.
A prior change to a walking path between the two buildings is squeezing the townhouse building, Clements said. Six townhouses would have been too narrow. But in order to build condos–which would not have changed the structure’s height or number of living units–Whiteco needed village approval as part of the redevelopment agreement both parties signed.
Also, a Trader Joe’s spokeswoman confirmed the specialty grocer’s intention to open at the site, 483 N. Harlem Ave., but would not confirm a date. The village and developer have said the grocer will take possession of its space by the end of the year. Previously, Trader Joe’s would not confirm that it had plans to move into the Whiteco development.