Plan commission directs findings to approve 232‑unit townhome PUD after traffic, setbacks and public‑benefit changes

The Highland Park Plan and Design Commission on Aug. 12 reopened the public hearing on PUD202500041, a planned unit development that would rezone land at 1660 and 1700 Old Deerfield Road for a 232‑unit townhome project and associated subdivision, design review and code modifications.

Senior planner Carl Berhoppe told commissioners the applicant reduced the proposal by eight units — “it’s been reduced from 240 to 232 units” — and described a series of changes to setbacks, parking and open space since earlier hearings. The commission heard updates from the applicant’s traffic and design teams, took public comment, then directed staff (4–3) to draft findings recommending approval and continued the public hearing to Aug. 26, 7 p.m.

Why it matters: The proposal would convert a long‑vacant former industrial parcel near the Old Skokie Valley bike path and Route 41 into a large clustered townhouse development, add 35 on‑site affordable units, and change zoning to RM1 with an R7 strip adjacent to commercial property. The commission’s direction to draft approval findings — and the remaining open technical issues (wetlands permitting, final design review, and traffic/access details) — set the project up for a council review and a development agreement if the city and applicant proceed.

What changed and what the city reviewed

Staff and the applicant said the plan has fewer units and several relief requests were withdrawn. Berhoppe summarized the main updates: the north setback was increased to 35 feet along the edge that abuts commercial properties; the east setback along the railroad right‑of‑way was increased to 25 feet so it now complies; the development’s on‑site parking for residents changed to 690 spaces from an earlier 713 (staff had listed 685 in a prior report and the applicant’s latest plan shows 690); and open space rose to about 42.5% of the site, above the 20% plan‑development requirement.

The applicant has proposed a permanent wetland conservation easement covering the wooded open‑space areas along the south and west of the site, and staff said that easement would be recorded on the plat and enforced through the PUD ordinance and a development agreement.

Traffic and access

The comm…