Zoning Board Won't Recommend Pulte Subdivision Near Timberline Drive

LEMONT, IL - The Lemont Planning & Zoning Commission voted unanimously last week not to recommend approval of the planned Vistancia subdivision proposed to take shape at an area currently occupied by open space between Interstate 355 and Timberline Drive in Lemont.

The decision was made after a public hearing - the third scheduled in the last three months in front of the board - lasted for more than an hour with a clear majority of speakers voicing their opposition to the project.

The proposition from Pulte Homes, a Georgia-based homebuilder, is to construct a subdivision with 220 lots in three villages. A “Ridgeline” section of the property would consist of 64 lots, a “Summit” section would have 95 and a “Villas” portion would include 61. A spokesperson for the developer said many of the homes would be similar to the ones shown in the Hawthorne Woods subdivision.

Concerns from the public included worries about the well-being of wildlife that would be affected in the area, which is considered open space at the moment and potential traffic hazards.

“Timberline (Drive) is already a speedway,” was one public comment.

But Pulte already conducted a traffic study - one held during peak traffic hours on Jan. 10 - which showed that the road is sized to handle the development at its full occupancy.

Still, resident Steve Cornwell couldn’t see one benefit to the project.

“I have a vision of 600 cars going to work, all at the same time, along Timberline Drive. What benefit do you see?” he asked commissioners.

“Any development would have a benefit with tax dollars and with our retail stores,” Commission chair Anthony Spinelli responded. “And any development also has its negatives, like the wildlife that was brought up earlier.”

Cornwell also mentioned a potential conflict of interest with the developer seeking, and paying for, the traffic study. But Spinelli said it would not be reasonable to believe the firm conducting the study would "risk their reputation for one development."

Safety concerns were also mentioned from a representative from the Lemont Park District.

About 40 people attended the hearing, many of whom said they only recently heard about the proposal.

Spinelli noted that two previous public hearings were held on the matter and that commissioners were not required to open it up again, although they did.

Pulte’s request isn’t completely shut down just yet. While the zoning board voted not to recommend approval, the proposal will still be heard by village trustees.

Image via Pulte Homes subdivision proposal