Public Hearing Planned For 60-Unit Multi-Family Development In Lemont Amid Opposition

LEMONT, IL — The Village of Lemont's planning and zoning commission will hold a public hearing at its meeting on Wednesday, for a new multi-family development in Lemont.

The development, Belmont Estates, will be discussed by the commission at its meeting on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Village Hall.

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

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

According to Village documents, the development is being proposed by Lotus Development 1873, LLC. The property is 5.3 acres, 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 is to rezone it to multi-family. According to Board documents, the developer is also requesting a preliminary planned unit development and plat of subdivision for a 60-unit multi-family residential development.

The plans call for 15 four-unit residential buildings, parking areas, landscaping and internal private drives.

"The proposed density is approximately 11.4 dwelling units per acre following right-of-way dedication," Village documents state.

In Lemont's 2030 comprehensive plan, the property was designated for community retail land use. According to Board documents, the majority of the property used to operate as a banquet and event facility, but it closed in 2011, and has been "largely vacant" since then.

Residents have 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.

According to Village documents, several zoning standards are 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.