Village of Lombard approves amended annexation agreement for Pinnacle development after residents' objections

The Village of Lombard Board of Trustees voted to approve an amendment to the annexation agreement for the Pinnacle development at 1308–1330 South Myers Road, changing the plan from 22 detached single-family homes to 11 on Sept. 18. The trustees also approved a revised final plat and preserved several previously granted variances, including a conditional use for building height not to exceed 38 feet (three stories) and an allowance to calculate open space across the development rather than by parcel.

Neighbors filled the chamber during the public comment period, urging trustees to reject the project or demand further changes. Melissa Schmitz, a resident of more than 25 years, said: "Keep Lombard the Lilac Village, not the big box McMansion Village." Several other speakers raised traffic, parking, height, loss of green space and the gated nature of the project as central concerns.

The plan commission had recommended approval of a set of changes that include reducing the number of units to 11, allowing front-yard depths of 28 feet on lots 1–3 and 25 feet on lots 4–11, corner side yards of 9 feet on lot 4 and 10 feet on lot 11, an above-ground utility cabinet placement on lot 3, and preserving deviations allowing a 6-foot fence in most locations (4 feet near the Myers Road and 14th Street driveways). The commission also recommended preserving a variation permitting 45% open space where 50% is required and preserving the maximum building height of 38 feet or three stories.

Developer representatives responded during the public hearing. Mark Daniel, who said he has been handling the project for several years, told trustees he had repeatedly relayed neighbors' concerns to county and village staff and described design changes as an effort to reduce density: "This is a significant adjustment, but it is an adjustment to allow less density," Daniel said. Ahmad Khan, who the record identifies as associated with the project, told trustees he would be available to answer neighbors' concerns and said he would respond promptly to calls and emails.

Trustees debated whether the amended plan struck an appropriate balance between neighbors' stated concerns and the developer's proposal. Trustee Dudek said the village must make decisions based on facts and the long-term interests of Lombard's roughly 41,000 residents, noting staff inspections and a full-time on-site construction manager would be used to oversee work and correct issues. Trustee Jessica Hammersmith urged neighbors to keep the community welcoming regardless of the outcome and said housing comes in different sizes but that public commitments to oversight and enforcement matter.

Trustees also addressed specific technical points raised by speakers. The board heard that drainage flow from the site is designed toward Westmore Myers Road rather than toward the York Center cooperative area; trustees relied on village staff’s assessments when considering flood-risk concerns. The plan commission and staff materials preserved the 5% green-space variance in the amended plan and documented engineering and landscaping plans the developer must follow.

After discussion, the board took formal action. A motion to approve the amendment to the annexation agreement and associated ordinance on second reading was moved by Trustee Militello and seconded by Trustee Egan. Village President Puccio and Trustees Levesque, Hammersmith, Dudek, Egan, Metoyer and Wagner voted to approve the amendment; the item passed. The board then voted separately to accept the plan commission’s recommendation approving the detailed deviations and revised final plat; that motion passed by the same recorded vote.

The approvals preserve previously authorized variances while reducing unit count and maintain engineering and landscaping requirements the developer must satisfy before final occupancy. Trustees said they will monitor construction activity, daily inspections and compliance with approved plans and stressed that staff will act on any future issues raised by neighbors.

Plans approved that night require further permitting and construction oversight before any homes are occupied. The board did not set a date for follow-up hearings; trustees said staff will continue to work with the developer and neighbors on outstanding implementation details.