Village Board Gives Mariano’s Development Green Light

Mariano’s Fresh Market is one step closer to becoming a reality in Lake Zurich.

During a courtesy review Monday, trustees gave their blessing for the project to move forward to the plan commission.

Bradford Real Estate Companies, the developer overseeing the proposed planned unit development, wants the property at the northwest corner of Route 22 and Quentin Road to be rezoned to a B-3 regional shopping district.

The planned unit development potentially would include a 73,000-square-foot Mariano’s on the northwest portion of the development area, facing Route 22.

Two proposed outlots would be along Route 22 as freestanding businesses, while a third building on the northeast corner adjacent to Quentin Road could house multiple tenants.

“There could be a small building with retail tenants, a bank and restaurant with a drive-through, but nothing has been finalized,” said Bradford President Steve Pagnotta.

He added that his company has been in the process of working with Harvest Bible Church in regards to combined access.

Arranging for access into the proposed planned unit development has been challenging, said Pagnotta. Both the Illinois Department of Transportation and Lake County Division of Transportation had to weigh in on permissible access into the proposed development.

“IDOT has jurisdiction over Route 22, and at the western boundary, there will be a right (turn) in and right out; a left turn can be made in, but not out,” Pagnotta said.

Lake County Division of Transportation, Pagnotta said, will permit a right-turn-in only to the property, but there will be full access at the north end of the property leading in and out to Quentin Road.

Other issues include water detention and landscaping for the entire area.

“That particular corner is the gateway to the east of Lake Zurich, and I’d appreciate if you will consider that as you move forward,” said Trustee Tom Poynton.

Roundy’s Supermarkets is the umbrella company that owns Mariano’s, and has 150 grocery locations in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois.

Illinois has five locations, including Arlington Heights, Vernon Hills, the recently opened Palatine location and two in the city of Chicago.

Roundy's has been in existence for more than 100 years and started out as a wholesaler. But in recent years, it has narrowed its focus to supplying its own stores, according to Max Dickman, Roundy’s Supermarkets real estate development manager.

Dickman explained other details about the proposed grocery store.

“We are trying to build a store that supplies everything from produce to meats and seafood to paper goods. You will also be able find your Doritos and Coca-Cola,” Dickman. “We will bring the value at competitive prices.”

If approved, the store would have the option to be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. About 425 people would be employed, including full- and part-time positions.

“That is more than a normal grocery store would hire, but we want that strong customer service to be evident as you walk in,” Dickman said.

An additional 125 people would be hired to work on the construction phase, according to Pagnotta.

Food and product selections would include produce, meat, seafood and sushi, dairy, frozen foods, and wine and spirits.

Specialty items, provided by third-party vendors, would include fried dough and gelato. A floral department would be included as well.

There also would be a bakery and deli area with seating in a rotunda, in addition to a demonstration area to provide cooking instruction.  

Paper and cleaning products also would be available.

All the proposed buildings in the planned unit development would be masonry, according to Pagnotta, and signs for Mariano’s would be similar to the Palatine and Vernon Hills locations.

The proposed planned unit development represents a portion of the 55 acres that was annexed into the village on Feb. 6. It includes the Cedar Hill Nursery property at Route 22 and Quentin Road, the Nielsen property to the west and the Obenauf property to the north.  

The development must meet approval of not only the village of Lake Zurich, but also Kildeer due to an intergovernmental agreement between the two villages, which was agreed upon in June 2011.

The proposed development now heads to the village plan commission, which will review the plan and forward its recommendations to the Village Board for final consideration.

A date for that plan commission hearing has not yet been set.