Hoffman Estates committee approves amended development agreement, site-plan amendment for Bell Works, multiple planning variances and routine contracts

The Village of Hoffman Estates’ Planning, Building and Zoning Committee and Village Board took several approvals on Jan. 20, 2025, including committee approval of an amended development agreement (final execution contingent on submission and review of developer disclosure documents), an ordinance granting a site-plan amendment for Bell Works Townhomes at 1705 Lakewood Boulevard, two Planning & Zoning Commission-recommended variations, and multiple consent-agenda contracts and renewals.

Why it matters: the development agreement and site-plan amendment change project timelines and financial security requirements for a townhome project; the engineering and motor-fuel-tax appropriations involve spending decisions for local street and infrastructure work.

Development agreement: Committee members moved to substitute a revised development agreement and approved the substitute. Corporation Counsel and staff said the village is awaiting “additional information related to disclosures of beneficiaries” and that the board should approve the amended agreement “subject to the village receiving the appropriate disclosure document from the developer” and those disclosures being reviewed and approved by Corporation Counsel. The board recorded a motion and second; the committee vote carried.

Bell Works Townhomes: The Village Board approved an ordinance granting a site-plan amendment for Bell Works Townhomes at 1705 Lakewood Boulevard. Staff said the amendment “makes references to the revised timelines and financial security requirements that are outlined within the development agreement.” The board approved the ordinance on voice/roll call.

Planning & Zoning Commission recommendations: The Planning & Zoning Commission presented and the board approved two variations: - A rear-yard setback variation for property at 3688 Whispering Trails Drive, asking for a 9.5-foot setback where 20 feet is required; the petitioner said the addition is to accommodate an older relative and keep floors on one level. - A garage-size variation for 1120 Ash Road, approved to 850 square feet to accommodate an accessible van under the Americans with Disabilities Act accommodations; the original requested size was larger but the petitioner accepted the reduced amount. Meeting minutes record that neighbors submitted adverse letters and commissioners noted concern that an unenclosed roof could be enclosed later.

Consent agenda and contracts: The board approved the consent agenda items A, B, C, D, E and G (the schedule of bills and several ordinances). That included: - Schedule of bills for Jan. 20, 2025, totaling $475,679.74. - Ordinances supporting Cook County Class 7C renewal applications for properties at 2590 West Golf Road (Ricky Rockets) and 1051 West Higgins Road (Ziegler Mercedes Sprinter dealership) — staff said the ordinances support the county applications. - Approval of a resolution appropriating Motor Fuel Tax funds for the 2025 Street Revitalization Project Contract 1, in the amount of $3,317,500.

Engineering services: A phase 2 engineering services agreement with Transystems Corporation of Schaumburg for the Gannon Drive resurfacing and bicycle facility project, not to exceed $110,000, was pulled from the consent agenda for separate consideration and then approved by roll call. The recorded roll call shows one nay (Trustee Staunton) and the motion carried.

Other purchases and procurement items were placed on committee agendas for later discussion, including planned purchases for SCADA support, a trailer-mounted chipper, and water meters; those items were described in the Public Works and Utilities committee notices.

Formal outcomes and next steps: The substituted development agreement will not be executed until the developer submits the required disclosure materials and Corporation Counsel approves them; staff committed to provide those documents to trustees. Project-related ordinances and appropriations proceed as approved at the meeting.

The meeting concluded with no substantive public comment on these items and the board adjourned.