Broadview presents draft comprehensive plan prioritizing Roosevelt Road, housing options and industrial protections

Broadview leaders and residents reviewed a draft comprehensive plan at a village meeting that lays out a 10–20 year vision for land use, housing, economic development, transportation and sustainability.

The meeting opened with the mayor calling the plan “a commitment to our community prosperity and well-being,” then turned the presentation over to Pete of Tesca Associates, the planning consultant. Pete said the draft report was completed in January and that revisions based on public input are being collected now, with the village aiming for final approval later this month.

Pete described the plan as an expanded document (roughly 120 pages) that goes beyond a traditional land-use map to include chapters on economic development, housing, transportation and infrastructure, community facilities, sustainability, health and wellness and technology. “The comprehensive plan is basically the long-term vision for the community — it’s basically a 10–20 year plan,” Pete said, adding that the implementation appendix breaks recommendations into short-, medium- and long-term actions and identifies potential funding sources.

On land use, Pete emphasized Broadview’s roughly one-third residential, one-third commercial and one-third industrial balance and said the plan aims to protect that mix while looking for targeted opportunities to increase density on Roosevelt Road through mixed-use development. He highlighted Village Square as a focus for filling vacant tenant spaces and suggested parking reconfiguration to create room for new outlots and ground-floor commercial with residential above.

Housing recommendations focus on preserving single-family neighborhoods while adding “missing middle” units (two- and three-bedroom options) and senior housing so residents can age in place. Pete said Broadview has low vacancy rates, an older housing stock and a high share of households paying more than 30% of income on housing — indicators the plan seeks to address without displacing existing homeowners.

On transportation, Pete said pedestrian and bicycle improvements and transit access were priorities. He noted Metra’s planned pulse-line route would include a stop at Village Square and that “the launch will be in 2030,” a development the consultant said could expand the village’s regional market draw.

Economic development recommendations include recruiting businesses that can draw customers from the surrounding 5–15 minute drive market, protecting industrial users (some with rail access) that form a key tax base, and leveraging the TIF district and Enterprise Zone incentives to support targeted commercial and industrial projects.

Pete described sustainability and community services work in the plan, including tree surveys, flood-hazard mapping and creek work to address local flooding while seeking ways to mitigate truck traffic and air-quality concerns tied to industrial areas.

During a public Q&A, a resident asked what would happen if a new administration took office. Pete responded that once adopted the comprehensive plan “that’s your plan,” and while future boards could amend it, adoption gives the village an official guiding document; the plan’s implementation chapter also includes suggested performance steps and responsibility assignments. Residents asked about fiber broadband (Pete said fiber coverage is limited by provider deployment), access to nearby medical centers (Loyola and Hines VA) and where missing-middle units could realistically be located; Pete reiterated that Broadview is largely built-out and that most new housing would come through targeted infill and increased density along Roosevelt Road.

The meeting closed with trustees and staff thanked for their participation and an invitation for further comment as consultants and staff prepare the final document for board consideration.

Next steps: the consultant will incorporate public feedback into final revisions and the village board is expected to consider the plan for adoption later this month.