Plan commission backs MI Homes' 260-unit Sadie Ridge subdivision

The Lockport Plan and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the city council approve a special use permit, rezoning, and final plat for Sadie Ridge, a proposed 260-unit residential development by MI Homes on about 78 acres north of Bruce Road and east of I‑355.

Planning staff presented the application as a final development-plan review for a project substantially consistent with a concept plan the council approved in December. Planning staff said the proposal calls for 132 single‑family detached lots and 128 townhome units clustered into 23 buildings, roads to be dedicated to the city, and a 3.2‑acre public park to be dedicated to the Lockport Township Park District. Planning staff said the proposal removes an R‑2 zoning district from the property map, realigns R‑1 and R‑3 zoning to fit the detached and attached housing locations, and removes a prior age‑restriction condition associated with the site’s earlier special use permit. Staff cited Lockport’s zoning code section 156.14 as the standard under which a planned residential development is evaluated and recommended approval.

Caitlin Chuck, attorney for MI Homes, told the commission the company revised prior plans after community and commission feedback and reduced the total unit count from earlier versions. "This plan consists of 132 traditional single family lots and 128 of MI's front loaded townhome series," Chuck said, noting the elimination of smaller infill lots that had been part of earlier proposals. MI Homes said the plan includes a network of multiuse trails, three detention basins sized to Will County stormwater regulations, and a natural buffer along an 80‑ to 85‑foot gas pipeline easement on the east side of the property.

Residents who spoke during the public hearing raised traffic and safety concerns at nearby Bruce Road and Cedar Road, asked about the possibility of a future connection to Ron Court, and sought clarification on buffering and tree plantings near Colonial Acres. Nicholas Jagodzinski, a Colonial Acres resident, said he had learned of the plan only recently and asked whether the Ron Court right of way would be converted to a roadway. Planning staff and the developer responded that the Ron Court right of way is being reserved for a possible future school access and will be improved as a bike path in the short term; vehicular connection would require a school to be built and separate approvals. The developer and staff also said pipeline easement restrictions limit tree plantings in that buffer area.

On drainage and stormwater, MI Homes said its design will redirect and shrink an existing drainage area. The presentation stated the volume currently heading toward the southeast corner would be reduced from about 20.68 acre‑feet to about 2.45 acre‑feet by the project design, and that grading and detention basins will reduce existing on‑site ponding. The commission’s engineering staff said major stormwater and engineering comments had been substantially addressed in the submitted plans but that final engineering responses will be required before council consideration.

Commissioners thanked the developer for reducing density from earlier proposals and for responding to resident input. Commissioner Peters cited the change from earlier plans as an example of the public‑process working. The commission adopted staff findings and voted to recommend city council approval; the item will appear before the council at committee of the whole on Aug. 6.

The commission vote was recorded as: motion by Commissioner Georgette, second by Commissioner Peters; roll call votes in favor by Quinn, Calderon, Peters, Likens, Misek/Majek, Garland and Georgette; motion passed.