Amid residents’ concerns, Buffalo Grove considers annexation, housing proposal

Buffalo Grove is considering annexing nearly 37 acres on the village’s northern border for a 189-home development along Aptakisic Road.

Proponents say it would fill a need for housing in the area, especially for seniors.

But some of the property’s neighbors are concerned about its potential impact on their neighborhoods and schools.

The village’s planning and zoning commission voted 5-2 Wednesday to recommend M/I Homes’ plan for the Kenley development on a 36.8-acre site at 16523-16775 Aptakisic Road.

The plan calls for 37 single-family homes and 152 townhouses, 38 of them intended for senior residents.

The price for the single-family homes is expected to start around $800,000, with townhouses selling from the upper $600,000s into the $700,000s.

The project has been two years in the making, M/I attorney Julie Workman told the commission. In that time, she said, the project has been scaled back from 204 homes, with a multiuse path and a single-family ranch plan added.

Still, the plan faces resistance from neighbors, who raised concerns about stormwater detention, fire truck access and the impact on traffic by opening up Margate Drive, which currently ends in a cul de sac.

Mark Clifton, a resident of the nearby Old Farm Village neighborhood, questioned the 14 variations from village code the developer is seeking.

“The difficulty of building the developer’s preferred project is not by itself justification for disregarding existing zoning requirements,” he said.

Village staff said the fire department reviewed the current plan with its two access points and an emergency access and has no issues.

Concerns also were raised about the impact on two school districts that would serve the neighborhood.

“I’m guessing if this rate of development continues in this village, all of us are going to be facing another referendum within the next five years,” said former District 102 school board President Gary Friedlander.

M/I Homes has agreed to pay $902,000 in impact fees to Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary District 102, which is projected to gain 113 students. Stevenson High School District 125, which is projected to gain 21 students, would receive $508,618.

Commissioner Chad Gregory, who voted with the majority, said he understood his neighbors’ concerns, in particular about the Margate connection.

Meanwhile, Commissioner Neil Worlikar said the village needs development and housing.

“I know there’s housing demand, but it can’t all fall in one little part of our county, because of our high school,” said Commissioner Donald Schwartz, who voted “no” along with Commissioner Adam Moodhe.

“I’m just not sure this plan was ready to be here with all of these contingencies,” Moodhe said.

There are 26 conditions in the recommendation, including approvals from the Lake County Division of Transportation and the Lake County Stormwater Management Commission.

It is yet to be determined when the village board will hear the matter.

szalusky@dailyherald.com