Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Hillsdale Multifamily topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Plan Commission approves 30-unit Hillsdale Court apartment with screening, stormwater and other conditions
Summary
The Plan Commission unanimously approved a 30-unit market-rate apartment at VH-461-5 in the Hillsdale Court development on April 20, 2026, subject to 13 conditions addressing landscaping, lighting, screening of mechanicals and refuse, driveway permitting, stormwater obligations and collaboration with adjacent neighbors.
The Village of Howard Plan Commission unanimously approved a site plan April 20 for a 30-unit market-rate multifamily building at VH-461-5, Hillsdale Court, with multiple conditions intended to address neighbor concerns and site-level requirements.
Village staff member Dave Wiese said the project had received final Planned Development District (PDD) approval in November and outlined remaining items including stormwater requirements, master metering and screening of mechanicals and refuse. Garritt R. Bader of GB Real Estate Investments, the applicant, described architectural variations intended to break up the façade, garages positioned to help screen the site and the use of mechanical "magic pack" units flush with the building exterior.
Adjacent property owners Katherine Rabitoy and Joseph Rabitoy urged the Commission to consider additional screening, citing loss of privacy, increased traffic near their property and the proximity of the proposed driveway and dumpster enclosure. The applicant said he was willing to work directly with adjacent property owners to address these concerns.
Commissioner Ellery Gulbrand moved to approve the site plan for VH-461-5 with conditions including: a lighting plan; landscape plan; sign plan; curb and gutter on the entrance and curves in the parking lot; recycling/garbage areas screened with materials similar to the principal buildings; breaking up the west elevation facing Cardinal through colors or building lines and landscaping; screening all mechanical equipment from public view; screening the residential neighbors to the east with landscaping or fencing; driveway permit; payment for regional stormwater pond acreage; providing site plans for review; master metering; developer coordination with adjacent property owners on screening along the driveway/property line; and evaluation of relocating the dumpster enclosure potentially toward the east side of the site. Commissioner Burt R. McIntyre seconded; the motion carried unanimously.
The approval carries a series of conditions that require further materials and permits before building permits are issued. The Commission requested follow-up on landscaping/screening details and possible dumpster relocation to reduce impacts on adjacent properties.
