Commission continues review of four‑unit townhome PUD at 932–942 Deerfield Road

The Highland Park Plan and Design Commission continued, without action, a petition for a four‑unit townhouse planned unit development (PUD) at 932 and 942 Deerfield Road on Sept. 2 and asked the applicant to return on Sept. 16 with updated façade details, finalized landscaping/species lists and clearer documentation on fencing, guest parking and tree protection.

Why it matters: The project would replace two vacant single‑family houses with four attached townhomes; commissioners and neighbors raised concerns about façade treatment along Deerfield Road, guest parking adequacy, and site landscaping, matters the commission asked the applicant to clarify before findings are prepared.

Project summary presented by staff: Planner Patrick Hoffman (presenting via staff slides) summarized that the proposal would create four three‑story townhouse units with attached two‑car garages, a shared drive aisle from Deerfield Road and two guest spaces. The site is zoned RM‑1. Staff noted the applicant has applied for demolition permits; the design included fiber cement siding, Illinois white brick foundation, Juliet balconies at the rear, and HVAC units placed in the rear yard with evergreen shrubs proposed for screening. The applicant requested one landscaping modification: code requires eight evergreen trees for the perimeter; the applicant worked with the city forester to substitute numerous evergreen shrubs instead because of concern for root conflicts with shallow soils.

Public concern and commissioner questions: Multiple neighbors testified about street parking pressure on nearby McDaniels and Deerfield streets, possible staging/parking during construction, and concerns about sewer capacity after recent backups in an adjacent duplex; one resident asked whether the proposed fence on the south property line would match neighboring fences. Commissioners asked for clarity about whether the units would be for sale or rent (applicant’s packet indicated intention to offer units for sale), square footage per unit (applicant stated roughly 3,000 sq ft per unit), and requested additional architectural interest on the east (street‑facing) façade. Commissioners also pressed staff and applicant to provide final materials samples and a definitive updated landscaping plan that removes invasive species noted in earlier submittals.

Applicant response: Alex Malecki (applicant) confirmed the landscaping plan had been revised to remove invasive species per the forester’s feedback and said the team could add additional windows and façade articulation along Deerfield Road and provide updated materials and fencing details. Malecki said the design team met with the fire department to verify emergency access and that the applicant moved the building 6 feet west in late design to avoid a variation to a step‑back requirement while maintaining a 26‑foot drive aisle for fire apparatus. He also said the units are planned for sale (packet indicates intended sale).

Commission action: Commissioners concluded there was more information to review—particularly facade treatments facing Deerfield Road, material samples, fence specifications, and a finalized landscaping plan—and voted to continue the public hearing to the commission’s Sept. 16 meeting so staff and the applicant can include the requested materials. No formal vote on the PUD was taken.

What’s next: The applicant will return Sept. 16 with updated drawings, material samples, a revised landscaping plan consistent with the city forester’s recommendations, and clarified parking/fence details. Staff recommended a condition that no parking be allowed in the drive aisle to preserve emergency vehicle access; commissioners indicated they expected that condition in the findings should the application be approved.

Sources: Presentation and testimony at Highland Park Plan and Design Commission meeting, Sept. 2, 2025; statements by Planner Patrick Hoffman, applicant Alex Malecki and multiple residents.