Officials of Planned Development & Construction Inc. of South Barrington say they want to construct a maintenance-free and nature-friendly residential community on 72 acres on Bartlett Road, but area residents are concerned the development could have a negative impact on the area’s drainage and wetlands.
Preliminary plans for the former tree nursery on the east side of Bartlett Road in unincorporated Cook County were heard Monday by the South Barrington Plan Commission.
Planned Development proposes to annex the land to South Barrington and develop a gated community with 35 home sites of about 1 3/4 acres each.
The development, called Hidden Lakes, would have an entrance off Bartlett Road featuring two waterfalls and a guardhouse.
Initially, entrance to the subdivision would be through a key-card system, said developer Joe Elias. But guards could be posted in the gatehouse.
Each household would be assessed a fee of roughly $500 a month to maintain its landscaping and the community’s open spaces.
The developer also proposes preserving natural tree lines along Bartlett Road and the area’s 15 acres of wetlands.
Although Elias and other Planned Development representatives said the wetland areas would be untouched, several South Barrington residents who attended the Plan Commission meeting were concerned the development would hurt area wildlife.
Residents were especially concerned about the wetlands in the southeast corner of the property.
“The trees and brush offer a lot of coverage for the wildlife, some of which is endangered,” said Sharon Nealey, who lives south of the proposed development.
Egrets and herons nest in the area along with other rare birds, Nealey said.
“I’m not against development, but I’m very concerned about what changes can come,” she said. “How will it affect the drainage? If any of the natural vegetation is removed, there will be an impact.”
Elias said his company would do everything feasible to protect the area.
The Plan Commission voted to continue the hearing until March 29. In the meantime, commission Chairman Donna Griffin asked the developers to return with a more detailed building pad plan, landscaping plan and a draft of its proposed homeowners covenants.
Griffin also asked that Barrington Unit School District 220 be contacted to determine if the development’s road plan would be suitable for school buses, and that Barrington Hills officials be asked for their comments on the proposal, since the property’s north end borders that municipality.
