Buffalo Grove housing plan would preserve Prairie View farmstead
A new residential development that preserves the village's agricultural past while adding to its housing stock could be coming to Buffalo Grove.
A development proposal presented Monday to village leaders by Pulte Homes calls for construction of 41 houses on the 20-acre Hoffman property in the unincorporated Prairie View area north of the village. Part of the proposal includes annexing the site into the village.
The plan calls for 1.4 acres of the 20-acre tract to remain a farmstead operated by members of the Hoffmann family.
Bill Hoffman, Sr., said five generations of his family have lived on the farm.
“My parents moved out there in 1954. We're the third owners of the farm since it was public domain,” he said. “We're all older and we recognize that it's time to pass on to the younger folks.”
Joining Bill Hoffman Sr. at the village board meeting Monday were his son Bill Jr., his daughter Katie Mark and family real estate consultant Eve Lee. Under the proposal, the farmstead parcel would continue its current uses, including gardening, orchards and raising poultry. A provision in the proposed annexation agreement would allow existing animals to remain on the farmstead.
Mark, a landscape architect, would handle landscape improvements on the site, and continue to live in the farmhouse with her family.
Mark Mastrorocco, land acquisition manager for Pulte Homes, said the company has been looking for development opportunities in Buffalo Grove for many years.
“The village really offers everything that our homeowners look for in a first class quality of life — great sense of community, excellent schools, terrific parks and recreation activities throughout the year, nearby shops and restaurants and other amenities,” he said.
Chuck Hanlon, a land planner with Wills Burke Kelsey Associates, said houses would range in size from approximately 3,500 to 4,100 square feet. Plans call for two-story homes with three-car garages and four bedrooms plus a game room which could be used as a bedroom.
“As far as I'm concerned, this is a long time coming as far as new development in Buffalo Grove,” Village President Jeffrey Braiman said.
Village officials were especially impressed with the developer's plan to keep the site's agricultural history partially intact.
“In this day and age of development and homes being built, it's very rare you come across a situation where a farmstead is incorporated into a development,” Trustee Michael Terson said. “And I think that it just adds so much character to the neighborhood. It's so unique.”
Trustees referred the proposal to the village's plan commission for further review.