Developers are proposing a new hotel and conference center for an area in north Naperville along Interstate 88.
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The Freedom Plaza development would sit on 13.2 acres of vacant land on Arbiter Court, west of the Freedom Commons shopping center between I-88 and Diehl Road, and include a 168-room Embassy Suites hotel, restaurants and a conference center.
Four free-standing restaurants would be located on the property and a fifth restaurant would be inside the hotel. A 13,000-square-foot banquet hall capable of holding more than 1,000 people is also included within the hotel. A meeting space of that size is not currently available within the city, according to the city.
The proposed development would neighbor Fairfield Inn and Hampton Inn Chicago/Naperville and provide 703 parking spaces.
The project was presented to the Planning and Zoning Commission by Indiana-based developer Lakhany Group Investments, LLC, Wednesday.
Along with discussing technical aspects and signage, commissioners also asked if any of the free-standing restaurants would require late-night liquor permits. Russ Whitaker, an attorney for the developer, said considering restaurants were "not locked-in yet," it would be too early to tell.
"Late-night permits - always a fun topic - we don't know the answer to that yet," Whitaker told commissioners.
The Planning and Zoning Commission approved the plan by a 9-0 vote Wednesday.
Before voting, all commissioners gave their praise and support of the project.
"I'm just ecstatic that this project is being brought in front of us at this kind of scale, it's a wonderful thing," said Commissioner Greg Bruno Wednesday. "I just wish you the best of luck and thank you for bringing this to our attention."
The proposal will now move forward to the Naperville City Council.
To watch the public hearing on the Freedom Plaza development, click here.