Council directs preparation of final approval documents for 22-unit townhome development at Green Bay Road and Glenview Avenue

The Highland Park City Council on Monday directed staff to prepare approval documents for a proposed 22‑unit townhome planned development at 2090–2100 Green Bay Road and 580–582 Glenview Avenue, following a unanimous planning commission recommendation.

Staff described the project as a three‑story, row‑style townhome development with two‑car garages on the first floor and balconies above. The developer reduced the unit count by one during review, added a corner parklet and reduced certain relief requests during the review process; the Plan and Design Commission recommended approval 6–0 with conditions.

Modifications requested include reduced front setbacks (proposed 10 feet vs. required 25 feet on Green Bay Road, proposed 9 feet on Glenview), reduced rear setbacks to the alley, increased lot coverage (proposed 44% vs. 33% allowed) and slightly less than required open space (19.8% vs. required 20%). Landscape relief was requested for shade trees and planting-depth minimums; lighting‑foot‑candle relief was requested in limited walkway and front‑setback areas. Staff said the applicant agreed to permeable pavers for alley improvements, to coordinate water‑main service adequacy, and to provide revised civil and lighting plans addressing city comments.

Public benefits identified by staff and the applicant: a parklet with plantings and benches at the corner of Green Bay Road and Glenview, a commissioned public-art sculpture to be installed at the corner, and repaving a portion of the public alley with permeable brick pavers. The Housing Commission recommended the project’s inclusionary plan (three inclusionary units with a $74,160 payment‑in‑lieu for the fractional unit) by a unanimous vote.

Staff recommended, and the council concurred, that staff draft final approval documents (including covenants, the subdivider’s agreement and conditions) for council consideration. The council vote to direct preparation of approval documents was unanimous.

Why it matters: the project adds middle‑density housing near transit and commercial areas and includes a package of public benefits and an inclusionary housing commitment; it proposes development‑level departures from numeric zoning standards that the commission and staff judged were offset by the public benefits and design revisions. The record shows multiple follow‑up conditions — revised civil plans, lighting details, a no‑parking restriction in alleys and documentation of public‑improvement cost estimates — will be required before the final council approval vote.