Official: Inactivity at approved Sycamore site doesn't mean Meijer isn't coming

SYCAMORE – Almost a year ago, Sycamore approved a plan for Meijer to open a new superstore near the Route 23 and Peace Road intersection.

Since then, the site has remained mostly vacant and quiet. Some neighbors report having seen work done in and around the area and pipes being laid on the grounds.

Others are waiting hopefully for the store to arrive.

Doreen Chamberlain lives on Anjali Court, and she said she has seen some work done on her street, which has markings, and has spoken to a crew laying pipe on the land across from her home.

Anjali Court is the road behind the proposed development that is the planned residential area. Chamberlain noted that work that’s been done on properties around the residential street are positive developments. She heard work was supposed to begin in the spring.

But where is the superstore?

Sycamore City Manager Brian Gregory said plans for the development are right where they were when the City Council approved a special use permit in March. The fact that no work has been done is not unusual or unexpected.

According to minutes from the Sycamore Plan Commission meeting at which the special use permit was recommended to the City Council, Gregory said no construction was expected in 2017.

The proposal by Rockford-based real estate development group First Midwest Group would be part of the Sycamore Crossing development and includes a 193,000-square-foot big-box store from Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer, a gas station and residential units. So far, however, the site remains an empty field. Typically, a project will have a year to begin work once it receives a special use permit.

“We do occasionally extend these when the project hasn’t started,” Gregory said.

If work doesn't begin on a project within a year of the City Council granting a special use permit, the petitioner can request another year to begin work on the project, according to Sycamore's Unified Development Ordinance.

Gregory said the city will learn about projects when the developer applies for building permits with the city. So far, the work that’s been done at the site only involves bringing in fill to a low area in the ground.

Several calls made to First Midwest Group, and to Meijer corporate headquarters in Grand Rapids in the past few weeks have not been returned.

Evidence of First Midwest Group’s presence in the development still is around, however. One of the roads through the development is named Puri Parkway, and the founder and president of First Midwest Group is Sunil Puri.

Chris Stoakes lives on Anjali Court and said the development is a ways away from his house. His only concern is that he heard there were plans to put a fence between homes and the store. Instead, he’d rather they put up trees, because a fence could obstruct the wind passing through the area.

Many think of Meijer as a grocery store, but the plan approved is for a “superstore,” which includes electronics, toys, clothing and other features along with a grocery section.

The approved plan for the 82 acres of land includes the store and gas station, as well as about 16 acres of residential property behind the store on Anjali Court. The commission also approved plans for signage, stormwater detention and a parking lot of more than 688 parking spots.

The land was annexed to Sycamore in 2006, when the developer, then called First Rockford Group, petitioned the city to bring the land within the city limits.

Also in 2006, the majority of any public improvements for the land were done as part of an economic incentive agreement between the city and developer. Other improvements can be reimbursed through the same agreement.

According to its website, the development group also owns and rents several retail areas in DeKalb along Sycamore Road.

Residents, including the site’s neighbors, remain hopeful for the Meijer store.

“We’re all looking forward to it,” Chamberlain said.