Darien Welcomes New Low-Impact Office Development

Proposed two-story office building seen as positive addition despite minor neighbor concerns.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Willowbrook-based Zee Signs is seeking zoning approval to build a new 7,000-square-foot office building in Darien, Illinois. The development would replace an old house and is located between a car repair shop and a shopping center. While neighbors have raised some minor concerns about the placement of the dumpster, fence, and lighting, city officials view the low-volume, 8-to-5 business as an extremely fortunate addition to the area.

Why it matters

The new office development represents a positive economic opportunity for Darien, which previously rejected a more disruptive car wash proposal for the same property. The low-impact nature of the office building is seen as a good fit for the surrounding residential and commercial areas.

The details

Zee Signs' proposed two-story, 7,000-square-foot office building would replace an old house on 75th Street in Darien. The property is located between a car repair shop and a shopping center. While neighbors have raised some concerns about the placement of the dumpster, fence, and lighting, city officials view the low-volume, 8-to-5 business as a positive addition to the area.

  • The Darien Plan Commission was expected to consider the proposal at its meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.
  • In 2020, DuPage County had considered a proposal for a car wash on the property, but it did not move forward due to neighbor concerns.

The players

Zee Signs

A business based in Willowbrook, Illinois that is seeking zoning approval to build a new 7,000-square-foot office building in Darien.

Eric Gustafson

A Darien alderman who lives a few hundred feet away from the proposed office building and views the development as an extremely fortunate addition to the area.

Dan Gombac

Darien's municipal services director, who noted that the city cannot regulate the business hours, which could potentially change in the future.

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What they’re saying

“They have one dock door in back that faces the homes, but they only have five or six deliveries a month. So it's a really low-volume-type business.”

— Eric Gustafson, Darien Alderman (Patch.com)

“Darien would be 'extremely fortunate' to see such development because the office would be open 8 to 5, be closed on weekends and only have a few employees.”

— Eric Gustafson, Darien Alderman (Patch.com)

What’s next

The Darien Plan Commission was expected to consider the proposal at its meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2026.

The takeaway

This new office development represents a positive economic opportunity for Darien, providing a low-impact business that is seen as a good fit for the surrounding residential and commercial areas. While neighbors have raised some minor concerns, city officials view the project as an extremely fortunate addition to the community.