Public Hearing Canceled After Developer Submits Revised Plans For Lemont Development

LEMONT, IL — A Village of Lemont plan and zoning commission meeting set for Wednesday has been canceled, after the developer of a proposed 60-unit multi-family residential development in Lemont requested cancellation of the public hearing.

The developer, Lotus Design/Development 1873, LLC, requested the cancellation on Tuesday. In the letter to the Village, the developer wrote that after reviewing the Village's staff report, the developer revised the preliminary site plan to address comments and recommendations from staff.

"In order to allow the Village adequate time for that review," the developer requested the March 4 public hearing be canceled.

"When a new hearing date is confirmed, Lotus Design/Development will provide all required notices," the letter states. The developer also said it will increase outreach efforts with the community.

Many Lemont residents had signed a statement circulating on social media, expressing opposition to the proposed project, which would include a rezoning of the property to a multi-family residential district.

The statement of opposition states primary concerns of traffic and safety, incompatibility with existing neighborhood character and a loss of privacy and quality of life, among others.

According to Village documents, the original proposal was for a 5.3 acre property, which is located at the northwest corner of Bell Road and Archer Avenue. It is adjacent to the Estates of Montefiori subdivision.

The property is currently zoned for single-family detached, but the application was to rezone it to multi-family. According to Board documents, the developer was also requesting a preliminary planned unit development and plat of subdivision for a 60-unit multi-family residential development.

According to Village documents, several zoning standards were proposed to be modified for the plans for the project; including the minimum lot size, minimum lot area per swelling, minimum lot width, minimum side yard setback, minimum rear yard setback, minimum spacing between buildings, local street roadway width, parkways and for accessory off-street parking.

Residents also cited concerns about a possible phase II of this project. According to a traffic impact study prepared for Belmont Estates, Phase I includes the aforementioned 60 units. However, a Phase II is also discussed in the traffic impact study, and states that an additional 35 buildings, containing 140 residential units, is "still under development." That project would be located on a property at the northeast corner of Bell Road and Archer Avenue.

Village staff hasn't analyzed the revised submitted plans, but the revised site plan does state that there are now 52 total units in the plan, instead of the original 60 units. A public hearing for the revised proposal will be held at a later date, not yet determined.