Lombard OKs custom home plans, annexation request

Lombard trustees have approved revised plans from a developer for a neighborhood with high-end custom homes.

Afsar Developers reduced the number of proposed homes — from 24 to 22 units — and increased the amount of open space in the project area between Meyers Road and School Street. Homes in “The Pinnacle on Meyers” community are expected to be priced in the range of roughly $1.5 million.

“With their residents being in Lombard and the dedication to Lombard that they've got, I think people are going to be really proud of the development, first of all,” Mark Daniel, an attorney representing the developer, said Friday.

Village trustees also approved the developer’s request to annex the unincorporated portions of the property into village limits.

“I think that this developer went above and beyond to try to compromise in a way to make a plan that works in this location,” Trustee Anthony Puccio said at the board meeting Thursday night. “My two issues, as stated a couple weeks ago, were density and open space. There is no more need for a variance on density.”

Some neighbors, however, remained opposed to the development through its various iterations. Nearby residents have raised concerns about parking issues, the height of the homes, their rooftop decks and noise.

“Lombard should be developing new homes, but how about affordable homes? Why million-dollar homes? Why homes of this magnitude?” School Street residents wrote in an email to village planners earlier this month.

Trustee Andrew Honig cast the lone “no” vote.

Honig said he can appreciate the developer’s efforts, “but at the same time also disagree with the project itself and the density of it … going from 24 to 22 (homes) was a really good step in the right direction.”

Each revision came at a significant cost, developer Ahmed Khan said.

“I listened to you, and I believe by listening to you, this has become a much better development,” Khan said, acknowledging neighbors at the board meeting.

There are “many more steps, processes and approvals to come,” Lombard Trustee Bernie Dudek said.

“Traffic concerns will be evaluated, as will safety, as will parking, as will countless other details,” he added. “Tonight is a big step, but we’re still closer to the beginning than the end.”

Meanwhile, an existing house, located at 1312 S. Meyers Road, and structures on 1320 S. Meyers, will not be demolished until the state historic preservation office has reviewed and accepted photographs preserving the view of the interior and exterior. In addition, a narrative history will be prepared for 1320 S. Meyers, which was an old firehouse and eventually became a York Township highway commissioner’s building.

“So the state right now is at a point where it’s recognized that even though the properties can’t be preserved physically, that it’s still worth doing it in some repository, and that’s what we’re working on now,” Daniel said. “We don’t see it as getting in the way.”

Afsar plans a formal groundbreaking ceremony on Oct. 11, contingent on getting permits approved for demolition.