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Village board approves Berwick rezoning as neighbors press for Highway 50 access
Summary
The Salem Lakes Village Board approved a rezoning and planned-unit development overlay for a 41-acre Berwick Properties site that would create roughly 11 home sites. Neighbors urged the board to require construction access and at least one permanent entrance from Highway 50, citing safety, wells and roadway damage.
The Village Board of Salem Lakes voted to approve an ordinance to rezone a 41-acre parcel for a planned-unit development that would allow about 11 single-family home sites, including one lot with access from Highway 50 and roughly 10 lots served by a 22-foot private drive through the existing Salem Hills right-of-way. The motion to proceed with the rezoning passed by voice vote.
Neighbors who live in the Salem Hills subdivision told the board they do not oppose new homes in general but repeatedly urged that construction traffic and long-term vehicle access not be routed through their single entrance. Samantha Hopkins, a Salem Hills resident, asked the board to table the rezoning until “emergency access and drainage issues are resolved” and argued that a PUD must show public benefit. “This proposal does the opposite,” Hopkins said, citing reduced setbacks and safety risks to wells, drainage and emergency responders.
SR Mills, presenting for the developer (Baird Development/Berwick Properties), said the site includes substantial environmental constraints — he noted that about 35% of the parcel is designated primary environmental corridor and that wetlands and steep slopes limit buildable area — and described a design that aims to reduce grading and site disturbance. Mills said one home site would access Highway 50 and that the development team would pursue construction management measures to limit heavy equipment in the neighborhood, adding they could route most site-work access from Highway 50 in the spring when environmental studies and engineering are complete.
Residents pressed several specific points: requests that (1) a permanent or temporary construction entrance be established on Highway 50 to keep heavy trucks off Salem Hills; (2) sidewalks be included; (3) a previously designated park lot remain as parkland rather than be rezoned to residential; and (4) fire and emergency access be confirmed. Multiple residents described existing roadway deterioration and concerns about children walking or using the street.
Board members and staff clarified the rezoning step is not a final approval of a development plan; SR Mills and village staff explained that preliminary and final platting, stormwater and engineering reviews, and public hearings at the planning commission would follow before any construction. The developer’s presentation included site ranges (home site sizes roughly 1.64 to 12.7 acres), proposed private wells and private sewer service for the lots, and a conceptual pro forma showing finished homes in the $500,000–$950,000 range and projected future assessed value in the millions.
The board’s approval advances the rezoning and PUD overlay to the next stages of engineering and plat review. The planning process will include further public hearings and formal engineering checks on setbacks, drainage and emergency access before any building permits are issued.
