Developers Not Giving Up On Heritage Woods Despite 2nd Rejection By Plan Commission

NORTHBROOK, IL — Even though the Northbrook Plan Commission expressed unanimously opposition Wednesday to a proposal to change zoning rules to allow a three-story, 105-unit, 97,000 square foot residential development on the corner of Shermer and Techny roads, the developers still plan to push the project forward and present it to the village board, the Northbrook Star reported.

Most of the estimated 130 people in the audience applauded members of the public who spoke out against the development and some wore buttons and signs from the "Save Northbrook" campaign, which opposes the development. Letters from residents and a petition opposing the development with more than 600 signatures were submitted as part of the public record.

"You have to spend an incredible amount of money — hundreds of thousands of dollars — to get a development through the plan commission," Heritage Woods developer Steve Barron told the Star, explaining he intended to seek approval from Northbrook trustees despite the commission's opposition.

» Watch: Northbrook Plan Commission Aug. 15 Meeting

A formal Plan Commission vote will be taken Sept. 5, with the matter potentially going before trustees at a Sept. 12 meeting, the Star reported. This week's 9-0 vote was the second time the commission has rejected plans for the development. The commission's recommendations are non-binding.

Northbrook residents have offered a variety of reasons they oppose the new development, including a decline in property values, an increase in traffic around Glenbrook North High School, more noise, a loss of trees and setting a precedent of changing zoning rules for a particular developer ("spot zoning").

Village President Sandy Frum told the Star that while some of Northbrook's trustees have favored the concept, she has been the most negative about it from the start.

"I don't know where the board stands, but I still have major reservations — height, density, impervious coverage and spot zoning," Frum said.

» Read more from Irv Leavitt in the Northbrook Star