Darien aldermen approved a zoning ordinance that will allow for the construction of a controversial housing development on a wooded 7.6-acre lot.
The ordinance reduces minimum lot size requirements and includes other variations to zoning requirements for 26 new single-family homes near the 2100 block of Manning Road, according to documents.
Before the recent vote, resident Doug Hodak told the city council that he objects to the density and has concerns about not preserving trees and wildlife on the property.
“There are 80 – to 100-year-old Osage orange trees (on the property),” Hodak said.
Resident Michael Bartel asked that the density be reduced to 20 homes.
“This (the developer) wants to simply maximize profits,” Bartel said. Documents indicate that one proposed lot size will be 6,679 square feet while the remaining 25 will be 7,200 square feet instead of the previously-required 10,000 square feet.
Alderman Sylvia McIvor and Alderman Joseph Kenny voted against the zoning ordinance.
“I have received many requests to not vote in favor of this development,” McIvor said. “I am not comfortable with these particular plans. It feels like we are pushing something through to just do something there.”
Aldermen Tina Beilke said she fears that neighbors would likely object to any development at the site.
“You (the residents) are concerned with the trees being (cut down) gone,” Beilke said. “That would happen in any event. This property is going to be developed sooner or later.”
Beilke and other aldermen said the smaller lot sizes will attract active senior citizens and young professionals to the city.
Dan Gombac, community development director, said the homes will be 2,800 square feet and up with a mid-range price of $400,000. Paul Swanson, of Mount Prospect, is the petitioner for the development, according to documents.
In 2010, the property owner at the time presented a concept plan for 52 townhomes, but the plan did not move forward due to density issues. The site now has an older home.
The builder still must seek council approval for final development plans before breaking ground in the next several months, according to city officials.
Gombac said there is one more large open space near 75th and Lemont Road that also may be developed into a residential community someday.
