Developers preview 48-rental townhomes at Hawthorne Mall; trustees flag parking, TIF and traffic concerns

Developers sketched a plan on the Hawthorne Mall campus for 48 three‑bedroom, 2½‑bath rental townhomes that they said would offer private two‑car garages and access to the Domain’s amenities.

“We believe this further enhances our master development plans at the Hawthorne Mall by bringing another aspect of the community onto the site,” Sam Weybred, vice president of development for Centennial, said during the Committee of the Whole meeting. Tim Anderson, CEO of Focus Development, described the product as designed to attract empty‑nesters and people transitioning between rentals and homeownership.

Sheila Eustice, Focus Development’s project manager, said the site sits at the northeast end of the mall campus — south of Ring Drive and north of the AMC and the Domain — and that the residences would be paired with perimeter and guest parking, a central courtyard and a small motor‑court layout. Architect Jeff Mulcrone said the units would average about 1,900 square feet and be “stepped” into the site topography so each unit has a distinct entrance.

Trustees and staff raised a series of technical issues that would need addressing if the project moves forward. Director Jennings said any residential use on the mall property would require an amendment to the mall’s PUD. Trustees asked for clarification on allowable density; staff noted a baseline of 12 units per acre in R‑7 zoning but said the PUD and site specifics would control final approvals.

Board members pressed the developer on Ring Road interactions and parallel parking. Trustee [name listed in roll call as Trustee Schenck] expressed concern that parallel parking along a high‑traffic Ring Road could create safety conflicts for through traffic and pedestrians. The developers said their traffic consultant indicated a guest‑parking ratio in the 0.1–0.25 spaces per unit range and that the 11 internal guest spaces shown on the concept plan would meet the high end of that recommendation, but they acknowledged the need for further review.

Trustees also pressed the team about the TIF district. One trustee asked how residential on a former surface parking lot would affect TIF increment distributions to taxing bodies, noting the site currently generates little EAV. The developers said they have engaged a consultant to perform a fiscal and increment analysis but do not yet have the completed report.

No formal approvals were sought; the presentation was conceptual and intended for input before technical review, public hearings and possible P&Z consideration. Village counsel reminded the Committee that the next steps would include technical review, Planning & Zoning public hearings and formal village board action if the proposal is advanced.