Plan commission backs Bridlewood 20‑home ‘empty‑nester’ plan with reservations from neighbors

The Orland Park Plan Commission voted to recommend approval of the Bridlewood Residential Plan Development, a proposed 20‑home planned unit development on a 9.5‑acre parcel at 14137 00 Eighth Avenue, after extensive public comment and several technical clarifications from petitioner representatives and staff.

The developer plans a maintenance‑free single‑family community marketed to “empty nesters” and proposes a zoning map amendment from E‑1 (estate residential) to R‑3 with a special use permit for a residential plan development. Petitioner Richard Turck, president of Corley Turk Properties LLC, described the proposal as 20 single‑family homes with substantial common open space, architectural variation and a detention basin on the southwest corner to manage stormwater. Land planner Nick Patera and engineer Kevin Fay presented site design, tree‑preservation efforts and drainage plans.

Staff recommended approval with conditions, noting the site is in the Orland Grove Planning District and that R‑3 zoning aligns with the comprehensive plan’s single‑family designation for the parcel. Staff said the development’s 20 lots represent 2.27 units per acre, below the R‑3 maximum, and that the plan proposes more than 70% common open space compared with roughly 9.9% that would be provided under a straight R‑2 layout. Staff also recommended two code modifications: a reduced right‑of‑way (50 feet in lieu of the 60‑foot typical minimum) and a narrower parkway (about 5'5" instead of the customary 8 feet), both to preserve perimeter trees and open space. The Army Corps of Engineers provided a “no permit required” letter confirming no direct disturbance to the existing non‑tidal wetland; the petition still required a special use because work occurs within 50 feet of the wetland buffer.

Residents objected to several aspects: loss of mature trees, potential increased traffic on the narrow, hilly 108th Avenue, one entry/exit point into the subdivision, potential overflow parking into neighboring streets, and impacts on the contiguous Orland Grove Forest Preserve and wildlife. Multiple residents reported existing drainage and standing water along 108th Avenue and questioned whether the development would worsen or improve those conditions.

Engineer Kevin Fay and developer representatives said the plan captures and detains runoff in a new storm sewer and detention basin and that, by design, the development will not increase off‑site discharge rates; staff and the developer said the proposal would likely reduce uncontrolled runoff compared with existing conditions. The petitioner agreed to staff’s standard conditions and to prepare an anti‑monotony concept plan showing varied facades, materials and colors to avoid repeated identical elevations.

Commissioner Ned Schuessler moved to approve staff recommendations with the added direction that the Village Board consider additional off‑street parking spaces; Commissioner John Paul seconded. The vote recorded in the transcript was 5 in favor, 1 opposed. The commission’s recommendation and conditions will go to the village Committee of the Whole and then the Village Board; staff said the next Committee of the Whole meeting is scheduled for November 3 at 6 p.m.