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U-Haul out, new proposal floated in Lake Zurich

Another business proposal has surfaced for a building where U-Haul had planned to operate from at Route 22 at Buesching Road in Lake Zurich.

Life Storage Inc. wants to operate in the 88,000-square-foot building on the northeast corner of the intersection. Lake Zurich village board members are expected to consider the proposal at a meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 6.

Attorney Calvin Bernstein, who represents Life Storage, said the new plan is before the village because U-Haul has dropped its proposal to rent storage units and trucks from the building at 300 E. Route 22.

U-Haul was voted down twice by Lake Zurich trustees in 2015 and denied a third chance at approval in January.

Last week, the village's advisory planning and zoning commission voted 6-0 in favor of granting a special-use permit that would let Life Storage operate from the building.

Planning and zoning commission Chairman Orlando Stratman spoke favorably about Life Storage's proposal compared to U-Haul's.

"This is a welcome change," Stratman said.

Village board trustees are expected to hold formal vote Sept. 6 after receiving the planning and zoning panel's recommendation.

Developer Steven Schwartz said the project's first phase would have the Life Storage units, a sales office and drive-through access in 28,000 square feet on the building's south end closest to Buesching and Route 22.

Ancient Graffiti Inc., a wholesale distributor of garden art and nature gifts that's been on the site for roughly 15 years, would shift to the north end and stay at least until 2018.

Schwartz, who has redeveloped buildings in Lisle and Crystal Lake for self-storage businesses, said he would keep existing trees and add landscaping on the 9-acre parcel.

Documents submitted with the village show Life Storage is part of a real estate investment trust company. Schwartz complimented Lake Zurich officials for their assistance as he assembled the plan.

"We're very appreciative to be working side by side with your staff and the entire time in navigating this process," Schwartz said during the planning and zoning commission session.

Before recently dropping its proposal, U-Haul filed a lawsuit in January against Lake Zurich that alleged the village improperly denied the company the right to occupy the building at Buesching and Route 22.

Lake Zurich taking second look at U-Haul proposal for Route 22 facility

U-Haul plan on Lake Zurich agenda:

Lake Zurich rejects U-Haul plan for Route 22

Lake Zurich denies third chance for U-Haul plan

U-Haul proposal not knocked out yet in Lake Zurich

Talk of settlement over U-Haul plan in Lake Zurich

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