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Board directs staff to prepare documents for rezoning and subdivision at 1515 S. Douglas amid neighbor concerns about detention basin
Summary
The Village Board voted to direct staff and the village attorney to prepare final documents granting rezoning from R1 to R3 and a preliminary plat creating two residential lots and a detention outlot at 1515 S. Douglas; neighbors urged a dry‑bottom, mowable detention basin but staff said the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) will ultimately determine basin landscaping based on soil and technical requirements.
Staff presented a request to rezone 1515 South Douglas from R1 to R3, approve a preliminary plat to create two residential lots and a detention outlot, and grant two variations reducing required lot width from 70 to 60 feet for the detention outlot.
Miss Rodman, planning staff, explained that the Plan Commission recommended approval with nine conditions, including required public improvements (pavement widening, curb and gutter, street trees, a five‑foot sidewalk), a landscape plan for the detention basin, and a fee in lieu because the preliminary design did not provide the full code‑required stormwater volume.
Residents who live adjacent to the site urged that the detention basin be a dry‑bottom, mowable area rather than a wet, naturalized basin that can attract birds and rodents. "Leave it as grass, please," said Kendall Schafer, a neighbor. Petitioner representatives said they understand neighbors' concerns and confirmed they were willing to comply with conditions.
Staff and the board clarified that the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago (MWRD) regulates watershed design and will determine final basin planting based on soil conditions and detention requirements. "Ultimately, the negotiations end on their desk," the mayor said.
The board voted to direct staff and the village attorney to prepare final documents granting the requested zoning relief and preliminary plat subject to the Plan Commission’s recommended conditions; final subdivision approvals and permits from MWRD are still required before construction.
