Staff: Federal Life site graded; Wolters Kluwer proposal scaled back; annexation interest at antique barn site

Director Witt reported project updates during the June 5 Plan Commission meeting: work at the former Federal Life site is nearly complete, a revised redevelopment concept for the Wolters Kluwer site has been submitted, and staff have received an annexation inquiry for the antique barn site (Linford winery).

Witt said the Federal Life property has been cleared of the building and reservoir, the contractor reduced steep berms to gentler slopes and installed erosion control; seeding was expected imminently and staff anticipate the site will “green up” in two to three weeks. The village’s engineering consultant will perform a drone-based topographic survey to finalize cut-and-fill quantities and determine how site grading aligns with required detention and the fire district building pad.

Witt also described a new submittal for the Wolters Kluwer property. The developer’s first proposal had been about 141 units (previously described as clusters of townhouses); the latest concept reduces the scheme to a smaller number of units described to staff as “less than 45 duplexes” and the director summarized the current package as “under 90 units.” Witt said the village will meet with the developer next week and that any formal project would later proceed to the Village Board and then the Plan Commission for review and recommendation.

Finally, Witt said the village recently received a request to annex the antique barn property where Linford winery is located. Staff expect to meet with the potential developer or realtor next week to gather more information and will report back to the commission when additional details are available.

No votes or formal approvals related to these sites occurred at the meeting; commissioners received the staff report and asked clarifying questions.