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Residents press Huntersville board for traffic-safety fixes during Northbrook rezoning hearing
Summary
At a July 21 public hearing on rezoning petition R26-07, planning staff recommended approval of a Northbrook flex rezoning conditioned on required screening; residents urged immediate traffic-safety measures after several near-misses and one serious collision in the neighborhood.
The Huntersville Town Board on July 21 heard public comment and staff testimony on petition R26-07, a request to amend Northbrook's zoning to allow additional small ‘‘flex’’ buildings behind a frontage structure. Planning staff entered the report and recommended approval provided the applicant revises the rear parking/loading screening to meet ordinance requirements.
Applicant Jake Pilillo described the plan as ‘‘nothing out of the norm,’’ saying the project adds two smaller flex/warehouse buildings behind the frontage building and that the developer will landscape the roughly 10-foot slope and provide screening. ‘‘All we're asking to do is add the additional 2 buildings to the back of the property,’’ Pilillo said, adding the design avoids creating new public roads and long-term town maintenance obligations.
Several Northbrook residents used the allotted public-comment time to press the board for safety measures tied to the development. Sally Henson, who lives on Retreat Drive, told the board: "Traffic safety cannot be an afterthought to development," saying drivers treat residential streets as cut-throughs and that seasonal sun glare reduces visibility for pedestrians. Patrick Cole recounted being struck by a pickup while walking in the neighborhood last Thanksgiving and described severe injuries that required months away from work.
Planning staff acknowledged the screening issue shown on the plan and said staff has asked the applicant to revise the drawings so the rear parking/loading area meets the ordinance. The public hearing remained open for the record; no final vote on R26-07 was taken July 21, and staff said the petition will return to the planning board and then to the Town Board for final action pending revisions.
What happens next: staff will refine the screening plan with the applicant and present updates at forthcoming hearings; residents urged the board to accelerate safety improvements on nearby streets while longer-term CIP road projects are planned.
