Developer presents concept for eight luxury townhomes at 129–135 E. 50th; commissioners raise parking, streetscape, drainage and design questions

Kaizen Construction and its design team presented a concept plan on Aug. 13 to the Village of Westmont Planning and Zoning Commission for a planned unit development (PUD) at the properties listed as 129 and 135 East 50th Street (also described in materials as 50 Fifth Street). The applicant is proposing to consolidate the two parcels and build eight townhouse units in two buildings.

Dominic Lanzito, attorney for Kaizen Construction, said the proposal would be for eight "luxury" townhomes with a mix of one- and two-car garages; the two interior units in each building are shown with one-car garages and the four end units with two-car garages. The development concept shows a paved drive aisle with parking concentrated inside garages and three visitor spaces on the southwest corner of the site. Lanzito and the design team said they had worked with planning staff and a civil engineer on revisions addressing stormwater detention and circulation.

Commissioners and staff framed the concept meeting as a nonbinding opportunity to provide early feedback before a public hearing. Scott Williams (planning staff) summarized the approvals the project will require under the new code: because two buildings are proposed on one consolidated lot, the project must proceed as a planned-unit development and will require…