Commission advances Hawthorne Mall townhomes package but continues site plan after design, safety concerns

Developers and ownership representatives presented detailed architectural, civil, landscape and parking plans for a 47‑unit rental townhome project at Hawthorne Mall (725 Ring Drive) at the Jan. 28 Planning & Zoning Commission hearing. The commission recommended approval of the project's supporting documents while continuing the site plan to Feb. 11 to give the petitioner time to respond to design and safety concerns.

Scott Trafford of Phineas Capital, speaking for ownership, said the project has been in review for more than a year and described the development as a mixed set of phases intended to knit housing to existing retail amenities. "We've been on this project for 10 years plus," Trafford said, describing the team's outreach with village staff and trustees.

Sheila Eustace of Focus Development summarized the townhome program: "These are 47 rental townhomes. Each townhome is 3 stories tall...3 bed, 2 and a half bath with its own 2 car private garage," she said, noting the design yields 94 private garage spaces plus 15 guest spaces and additional apron parking opportunities. Architect Jeff Mulcroin and landscape architect Catherine Talty reviewed materials, the central pedestrian corridor, terrace retaining walls and landscape buffering to the AMC parking lot.

Commissioners repeatedly praised the material palette and pedestrian connections but raised persistent concerns about one piece of the plan: Building 9, where rear-facing garages would back onto a mall drive. Commissioners said that orientation creates an atypical condition—garages and service activity facing the off‑site drive that could increase backing conflicts and reduce a continuous green buffer between the mall parking and the townhomes. Several commissioners urged eliminating Building 9 or reworking its orientation to add green space and reduce density.

After extensive discussion the commission made findings and recommended approval for the project introduction letter, preliminary engineering set, photometric plans, landscape plan package and architectural plans, subject to conditions including verification of pedestrian walk‑through lighting, modified landscape to ensure year‑round screening of meter banks and condensers, adjustments to the northwest corner to protect left‑turn sight distance, and ensuring surface parking at 1000 North Milwaukee is available before occupancy. The commission then agreed by acclamation to continue the site‑plan portion of the hearing to Feb. 11 to allow the developer to address Building 9, circulation and some landscape/irrigation details.

The developer asked for the continuance and the commission agreed; staff will prepare a summary of concerns and the revised materials for the Feb. 11 hearing. The items recommended tonight will be packaged for the Village Board, while the site‑plan continuation will return to the commission for further consideration.