Riverwoods commissioners weigh sustainability playbook as comprehensive plan and development interest evolve

Village staff and a planning consultant briefed the Planning Commission on Oct. 16 on next steps to update Riverwoods' comprehensive plan and on several active and potential development matters, including a developer withdrawal from the Walters Clure site and a separate 37‑acre proposal.

Director Witt told commissioners that the Taxman Group had backed out of a possible purchase and development at the Walters Clure site after disagreeing with the village's affordable housing ordinance. "They wanted a 100% fee in lieu," Witt said, but the village's ordinance requires 10% of units be affordable and allows a fee-in-lieu to cover only half of that 10%, effectively preserving a requirement for 5% of units to be on-site affordable. With Taxman gone, the village is urging a closer alignment of the plan-development ordinance with the comprehensive plan before another proposal arrives.

Witt said another developer has presented a site plan for a 37‑acre parcel that would include multiple…