The Joliet Plan Commission voted Jan. 15 to recommend approval of an amendment to the final planned unit development for Prairie Landing Subdivision to allow two one‑story house models in addition to the subdivision's approved two‑story plans.

Planning staff told commissioners the amendment (PUD 1‑20‑26) would add smaller single‑story options while retaining the subdivision's design standards and material requirements. The subdivision covers about 44 acres on the east side of Essington Road at Old Castle Road and already contains 120 single‑family lots, staff said. "Staff recommends that the Plan Commission recommend approval of the amendment to the final planned unit development of Prairie Landing subdivision to allow 1 story house models," planning staff said during the hearing.

Steve Bauer, who identified himself as an attorney and entitlements manager with Doctor Horton Incorporated Mid West and the petitioner's representative, said the request was driven by buyer interest. "The sales agents for Prairie Landing have been routinely hearing interest for single story living," Bauer said, and described the new models as matching the approved homes' street scale. When asked about pricing, Bauer said two‑story sales to date have been "in the high 400s" and that the single‑story homes "would be in the low to mid 400s." He also noted single‑story plans are deeper and can have higher construction costs despite smaller living area.

Several residents spoke during the public hearing. Robert Jacobas of South Warwick(s) Subdivision expressed concern that cheaper models could depress nearby property values, asking whether the new homes would be roughly "$50,000 cheaper" than existing prices. Maria Lepp of Picardy Subdivision said she supported finishing construction and introducing smaller homes if that reduced neighborhood construction impacts, but asked whether the retention basins south of her home were designed to be wet or dry and whether pumps were involved. Sarah Roxas, who lives off Vimy Ridge and backs to a retention area, told commissioners the ditch immediately behind her yard has "been watered since September" and called it "a pond in my backyard," expressing worry about the safety of her three small children and asking whether a berm or fence would be installed.

Bauer and staff said they believed the basins were designed as dry‑bottom basins and offered to follow up with the project's engineer and developer to confirm detail. "As I stand before you, I cannot say definitively, but I believe all of the basins in Prairie Landing were designed to be dry bottom basins," Bauer said, and he offered to consult engineers and the developer about residents' concerns.

After the public hearing, a motion to approve PUD 1‑20‑26 carried by roll call. The commission's votes were recorded as aye by the members present; staff said the request will be scheduled for an upcoming city council meeting with a recommendation for approval.

Next steps: the city council will consider the PUD amendment at a future meeting; staff and the petitioner said they would follow up with residents on drainage and engineering questions raised during the hearing.