ELGIN – Out with the old brick; in with the new, earth-toned sustainable materials and "spark" logo.
That's one of the design changes for the planned Walmart at 1000 S. Randall Road that the Elgin Planning and Development Commission recommended Monday night.
The commission held a public hearing about amendments to the annexation agreement, planned district ordinance and preliminary plat for the planned Walmart, Sam's Club and surrounding businesses at Randall and Bowes roads.
Those include the changes to the exterior building materials and elevations of the Walmart to match the company's branding. Those changes will reduce its square footage from 203,619 square feet to 177,557 square feet; use concrete blocks and a sustainable wood-and-resin material called Trespa; and incorporate canopies, masonry arches and changes in building elevation.
"I think the proposal is a significant improvement to the façade," said Chairman Bob Siljestrom, who was sworn in at the beginning of the meeting.
They also decreased the number of lots -- including the Walmart, Sam's Club and surrounding businesses -- from 11 to 10, and relaxed restrictions on what kind of businesses can go into those spaces.
Currently, fast-food restaurants and gas stations by operators other than Sam's Club are prohibited from the development, only one bank is allowed and at least one fine-dining restaurant is required. An amendment would throw out the fine-dining requirement and allow two fast-food restaurants, two banks and one gas station with no limitations on operators.
"They wanted to relax that and allow an unlimited number of quick-service restaurants," Elgin City Planner Sarosh Saher said.
Quick-service restaurants include restaurants like Chipotle, Noodles & Company, Panera Bread and Corner Bakery, Saher added.
Commissioner Christopher Barry noted the change in restaurant types in casting his lone vote against the recommendation.
"I think Elgin can do better," Barry said.
Many other trustees and the three residents who spoke also expressed concern about the two almost 13-foot-tall, 20-foot-wide Walmart and Sam's Club signs planned at the main entrances at Randall and Bowes roads. They pointed out Bowes likely did not require as large a sign as Randall.
An annexation agreement hearing will be held before the amendments to that agreement recommended by the planning and development commission go to the Elgin City Council for approval, according to Saher. The first opportunity for the city council to vote on them will be in December, he said.
The 73 acres of land at Randall and Bowes roads was first annexed and zoned for the Walmart and Sam's Club in 2006.
The city planner said he wasn't sure when work on the Walmart and other businesses would begin.
"We have yet to find out a final date, but they are hoping to start in 2010," Saher said.