The Orland Park Village Board this week approved two proposed subdivisions despite the objections of a few residents who insisted that officials should strictly follow zoning guidelines and not compromise.
In the case of the Crystal on the Green project northeast of 147th Street and 108th Avenue, the village’s comprehensive plan calls for the land to be developed with a density of one home per acre. But the 10-home project was approved with a slightly higher density of 1.03 homes per acre.
The Coyle subdivision, a five-acre project of six homes proposed for a site at 14243 S. 108th Ave., also would have exceeded the required density had it not been rezoned to allow half-acre lots.
“I didn’t see a problem approving it because (the planned Coyle homes are) next to commercial, and they’re right across the street from half-acre lots,” said Mayor Dan McLaughlin.
Christina Dado, who lives near the proposed Coyle subdivision, noted that most homes in the area feature estate zoning, with lots of 1 acre to 10 acres.
Another prospective Coyle neighbor, Gail Raimbault, said a high-density development could have an adverse impact on the nearby Cook County forest preserve and the national wildlife refuge McGinnis Slough.
“It’s a neat area,” she said. “There’s a turtle the size of an end table that’s walking around there. A baby fawn was born in a neighbor’s back yard,”
John Anderson, who lives near the proposed Crystal on the Green project, said he objected to the density rule being broken even if only by a fraction.
“You break them for 0.03 (homes per acre) today, What will you do the next time? At some point you have to draw the line,” he said.
