Village board directs staff to prepare final plat documents for Chestnut Wood subdivision with setback and lot-size variances

The Arlington Heights Village Board voted Oct. 20 to direct staff and the village attorney to prepare final documents granting zoning relief for a proposed preliminary plat of subdivision at 1920 North Chestnut Avenue (PC 24-018).

Petitioner Scott Meerman, representing Klim Development and principal Vitaly Klim, proposed subdividing a 1.14-acre lot into three residential lots and one smaller detention lot. The petitioner is requesting several variations: a front-yard setback of 25 feet for the Chestnut-facing lot (the codes R-2 provision limits the applicable block-face average to 40 feet), a reduction in lot width and lot area for one of the Walnut-facing lots, and relief for a detention lot sized at 60 by 145 feet (the petitioner described that as necessary given the sites lower elevation and inability to access the Walnut Ladd detention facility).

Planning staff and the petitioner said the reductions reflect prevailing setback patterns across the block face (staff presented an exhibit showing many lots across the street at 20to25 feet) and predicted that over time other large legacy lots in the area could be redeveloped to match the proposed depths. The plan commission recommended approval subject to six standard conditions and noted two nonbinding comments: whether to delay construction of a sidewalk that would not connect to adjacent segments, and a residents concern about a future privacy fence on Lot 1 that could appear in a neighbors front yard.

Trustees discussed the visual "oddness" of one house at a 25-foot setback between older houses set back 70to80 feet, the sidewalk requirement and whether the village can structure an agreement so the developer pays now but installation could be triggered later, and the role of a narrow five-foot "spite strip" along Walnut. Developer Vitaly Klim said he has discussed the plan with the adjacent owner to the south and that landscaping can mitigate privacy concerns. Trustee Manganaro moved the directive and Trustee Santa Maria seconded; the motion carried by unanimous roll call.

Next steps: Staff will prepare final documents for board consideration at a future meeting; the board indicated final ordinance action to occur at the Nov. 3 meeting.