Kemper Lakes home plan draws criticism from a Hawthorn Woods neighbor

The homes proposed at Kemper Lakes Golf Club in Kildeer may add value to the area, but the plan has drawn criticism from at least one resident in neighboring Hawthorn Woods.

"They have my blood pressure up," Richard Kirshner said of The Preserves, a proposed community of 31 homes on 23 acres abutting the private golf course. The homes won't be visible and likely will add value to his own property in the Woodland Estates subdivision, but Kirshner objects to what amounts to an extension of Darlington Drive south of Old McHenry Road as the subdivision access point.

"This new street is going to make it a nightmare," he said of already congested rush hour traffic.

The developer said aligning streets that intersect busy roads is a Lake County directive, and work such as adding left- and right-turn lanes will be a benefit.

"The county signed off on our design and said what we're doing is appropriate," said Rick Zirk, director of land acquisition for Taylor Morrison Homes, which recently acquired Orleans Homes. "We're adding 1,400 feet of improvement."

Hawthorn Woods has been in contact with Kildeer and the county regarding the intersection plan "to make it safer for our residents and theirs," said Pam Newton, chief operating officer of Hawthorn Woods.

The Preserves would feature homes of up to 4,111 square feet that are expected to sell from $750,000. The company is offering the last homes in the Sanctuary Club on another portion of the Kemper property, and is building Thornfield Meadows in Hawthorn Woods among other suburban projects.

Taylor Morrison is seeking a reduction in the required lot size and increased building height. In submitted information, the company said the development "embraces the exclusivity and character" of Kemper Lakes and the village's desire for high-quality development. Zirk said this property was among several surrounding the golf course approved years ago as a residential neighborhood and that a plan in 2007, for example, called for 43 homes but was never built.

Part of the proposal, which returns to Kildeer's plan commission Sept. 8, calls for the removal of about 600 trees. Kirshner has urged neighbors to argue for a lower number of homes, which would preserve some of the trees.

According to Zirk, the area originally was part of the golf course but has become overgrown over the years. Some of the trees are scrub or diseased, according to Zirk, and others need to be removed to allow building. Utilities are being placed in front of the homes to conserve as many trees as possible, he added.

"It's an old site within the golf course. What we're trying to do is keep the trees around the perimeter so it doesn't look any different," from the golf course, he said.

Kirshner acknowledged the new homes likely will improve the value of his property, but said he had questions about the access point and tree removal.

"We'll see where it goes," he said. "I have the same opinion as other people - if we don't scream and yell, it's going to happen," as proposed.