 
Establishing a Temporary
Moratorium on Future Strip Malls
The City of West Chicago has enjoyed a strong and steady period of growth and has, in fact, held the distinction of being the fastest growing suburb in DuPage County according to the 2000 Census Report. Our reputation as a leading city has been due to the vigilant monitoring of local, regional and global economic trends and a development platform guided by a collective vision for balanced and healthy community growth.
Recently the West Chicago City Council voted to establish a temporary moratorium on the approval of multi-unit commercial buildings, or strip centers. The action of the Council was a response to the realities of the current economic climate impacting most cities today, the negative perceptions that vacancies promote and the justifiable observation being made in so many communities including ours, “Why are new centers going up when there are so many vacancies in existing ones?”
Members of the Development Committee have studied this question and its roots. They recognize that the availability of low interest rates contributed to the commercial boom in the City, causing a number of property owners to construct multi-unit commercial buildings speculatively, with either no or very few end users known prior to construction. The temporary moratorium on additional development of this kind is intended to allay an over saturation in the market and is a sound strategy to assist those property owners in leasing their existing spaces.
As we eagerly await the economic pendulum swinging back to a more favorable position, the temporary moratorium on multi-unit commercial buildings will spare us marginal development, encourage development of single purpose buildings that inspire destination attractions and preserve good land for larger anchor tenants and for development that benefits the entire community.
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