Plan and Design Commission backs rezoning and design review for 227-townhome plan at former Solo Cup site

The Plan and Design Commission on Sept. 9 recommended that the City Council approve a planned-unit development (PUD) to rezone and redevelop the former Solo Cup property at 1660 and 1700 Old Deerfield Road into a 227-unit townhome community.

The commission voted to adopt findings of fact and to approve the project's design review after an extended hearing and public comment period. The votes recommending rezoning and approving design review each passed 5-2; Commissioners Henry and Vice Chair Kirsch voted no. The recommendation now goes to City Council for final action.

The applicant, the Habitat Company, presented a revised plan that reduces the project from an earlier 240 units to 227 units, and increases common open space and buffer setbacks along the north property line. "The applicant reduced by 5 units ... so it is now down to 227," said Carl Berhoppe, senior planner for the city of Highland Park, summarizing the changes in the latest staff packet.

Why this matters: the 19.07-acre portion proposed for RM-1 zoning and a 9.12-acre portion proposed for R-7 would allow the developer to build a clustered townhome community on the southern portion of the property while leaving a 0.43-acre strip of light-industrial zoning at the north edge. The project includes a mix of site changes—new turn lanes on Old Deerfield Road, relocated private road alignments, two dog parks, a clubhouse and increased landscaping—and triggers multiple code modifications, including modest height relief for buildings and adjustments to inclusionary-housing distribution rules.

Traffic and safety were the most frequent concerns raised by residents and commissioners. The…