This was after residents expressed opposition to the plan, saying the apartments would bring in a "transient" population.
Most also said they far preferred condos to apartments, saying the owners would be invested in the town.
Other changes are also planned for the property in question, the Chestnut Court shopping center, which is southeast of 75th Street and Lemont Road. It is next to Downers Grove.
Much of the debate was over whom the 156-unit, four-story apartment complex would attract.
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Representatives of the developer, Kumar Bhavanasi of New Jersey, said they were targeting young professionals.
City officials said that's what happened with a new apartment complex that the city approved a few years ago.
Residents, however, were unconvinced. They said younger people were looking for towns where there were things to do, with one saying any thought otherwise was a "joke."
Alderman Gerry Leganski disagreed. He said his daughter wanted an apartment in Darien, but couldn't find one. So she is moving to Lisle.
Darien is a good location for commuting residents, he said, with many workplaces a half hour away or less.
"I see a big need for apartments and condos," he said.
The Chestnut Court shopping center at 75th Street and Lemont Road is largely vacant. The owner hopes to change that. (David Giuliani/Patch)
Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said young people work at businesses along Interstate 55.
"Young people want to come to the suburbs and have a hard time finding a place to rent," she said. "They want to be close to their places of employment."
Residents, meanwhile, pushed for keeping the property for retail and adding a high-end restaurant.
But aldermen said other towns are finding that a combination of residential and retail, known as mixed-use development, is a good solution.
They said the few businesses in the largely vacant shopping center needed apartment residents as customers.
As an example, Mayor Joseph Marchese said one shop owner told him she wouldn't renew her lease without the apartments coming.
For years, the city has included Chestnut Court as a target for redevelopment. The city is considering a tax increment financing district, commonly known as a TIF, for the center.
Officials said the City Council's approval was the first step and that further changes could be made to the plan.
Leganski said he wasn't "crazy" about the proposal.
"There's a lot more work to make it a show place," he said.
Alderman Thomas Belczak said the development was a "no-brainer."
"The problems that this shopping center is having are keeping tenants and keeping up to date," he said.
Alderman Ted Schauer said The Grove shopping center across the street in Downers Grove's jurisdiction is also struggling, despite the owner putting in "a boatload of cash."
"Anything but a mixed use in that area, I don't think will be successful," Schauer said.
The City Council voted 6-0 for the developer's proposal. Alderman Eric Gustafson, who represents the area in question, was absent. (He wanted to take part remotely, but the council declined his request.)
During earlier public comments, resident Joe Rabig said he doubted young professionals would move into the complex. He said an out-of-state developer was pushing a complex with "transient renters."
And Rabig had a warning for the council.
"I look forward to future election cycles to vote you all out," he said.
Under the developer's proposal, 90,000 square feet of the shopping center would be demolished on its south end.
The developer, Bhavanasi, also plans a standalone 13,000-square-foot retail building west of the apartments.
The proposal includes keeping the standalone bank building. Also, a 5,000-square-foot restaurant building with a drive-thru would be built at the corner of 75th and Lemont.
The developer also plans to add 11,000 square feet to the north side of the shopping center. Parts of the shopping center would be renovated.