Buffalo Grove residents criticize residential proposal

A 214-unit residential development proposed for 50 unincorporated acres to be annexed into Buffalo Grove has drawn criticism from neighbors and a former village president.

Traffic and schools were among the concerns cited regarding the Link Crossing development proposed for the former Link Farm at 16802 W. Aptakisic Road, north of the Didier Farms property and near the recently developed Easthaven subdivision.

K. Hovnanian Homes on Wednesday presented the village's planning and zoning commission with the final plan for the project. After nearly four hours of testimony, the commission set an April 19 date for more discussion. The project was first presented in April 2016.

The development team touted the mix of 70 single-family houses, 73 two-story villas and 71 three-story rowhomes as attractive to those 55 and older looking to downsize and to young professionals.

"This community would be a maintenance-free community. We feel that's a demand for the aging population," said James Truesdell, land acquisition adviser for K. Hovnanian Homes. "There are a lot of condominium and townhome developments that may be maintenance-free, but you really don't see anything in the single-family product that provides that to the market."

The project would generate 85 schoolchildren in Aptakisic-Tripp District 102 and 25 in Stevenson High School, according to the developer, which has agreed to provide more than $600,000 in impact and capital improvement fees to District 102 and more stormwater storage for Meridian School to the east that would allow it to expand.

Widening Buffalo Grove Road to four lanes and improving Prairie Grove Park also are part of the proposal, officials said.

But area residents were not convinced.

Michael Leissner, who lives nearby, said the project will worsen traffic problems.

"Try getting out of Brandywyn westbound onto Buffalo Grove Road in the morning or the afternoon. You see some very dangerous driving right now trying to get across the two lanes," he said.

Commission members, including Mitchell Weinstein, also expressed concerns about the traffic impact.

Cathy Arvanitakis, who lives near Buffalo Grove Road and Brandywyn, said the property values will be harmed because "we are all going to be looking at three-story townhomes. Three-story townhomes are not part of our neighborhood at all. They don't match. They don't belong there."

Former Village President Jeffrey Braiman said the plan is too dense. He took issue with the size of several lots that he said would be less than the village's required minimum.

"The three-story (buildings) are massive. I don't think it's conducive to a good community," he added.