Background
Lexington Homes is the contract purchaser of multiple properties located in the 900 block of West Campbell Street. Previously, a developer (D.R. Horton) presented to the Village Board a Plat of Subdivision for 6 single family lots with an additional lot for detention. The Plat included partial construction of Kennicott Avenue. The Village Board tabled the project on December 15, 2014 and requested that the developer attempt to develop the area in a more comprehensive manner. Since that time, the previous developer no longer has the property under contract as Lexington Homes has verbally indicated that they have all the properties on the block (except for those fronting on Patton Avenue) under contract.
Attached is a proposed conceptual Plat of Subdivision to subdivide the area into 15 single family lots with one lot for detention which fronts on Sigwalt Street. Kennicott Avenue would be fully constructed and dedicated to the Village. Detention would be placed along Sigwalt Street given the natural grade of the land. As with other detention facilities, the Village would take ownership of the detention to better ensure long term maintenance.
Storm water management must meet the requirements of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD). It should be noted that the MWRD approved a Watershed Management Ordinance (WMO) in May 2014 which modified detention basin design in Cook County. The MWRD now allows for and encourages the use of open detention basins within the combined sewer area and promotes the use of bio swale/rain gardens within development detention basins. Underground detention may be an option however until detailed engineering plans are submitted for review, staff does not know at this point if underground detention is feasible. As with the recent Christina Court Subdivision, the Village would require a fee for maintenance for an agreed to period of time.
Lexington Homes, after consultation from Village Staff, is seeking Early Review of the Village Board pursuant to the Early Review Guidelines, guideline #6 for projects deemed unique by the Village Manager. Given that a previous subdivision for this site was tabled, and the previous direction provided by the Board, this project qualifies for Early Review. The purpose of Early Review is for the Board to provide general direction to the developer regarding the conceptual plans presented. Staff is supportive of this concept as it addresses issues raised by the Board in December, 2014 by developing the site in a comprehensive manner, including proper siting of the detention and full improvements for Kennicott Avenue. This concept is also consistent with Option B which was previously forwarded to the Board as part of a status report in February, 2015.
Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board evaluate the conceptual plat of subdivision and provide direction regarding the proposed development.