Bartlett trustees ask for less dense version of proposed Hawk Ridge townhouse subdivision

Bartlett trustees have asked a development partnership to consider lowering the density of a proposed 98-unit townhouse subdivision on 19 acres.

The plan for the Hawk Ridge subdivision on the west side of South Bartlett Road, between the Durwood Forest subdivision and Canadian National Railway tracks, had been recommended by village staff and Bartlett’s planning and zoning commission.

The developers also seek the village’s annexation of the unincorporated site.

However, concerns raised by nearby residents led at least half the village board to ask the main applicant, Bridge Street Properties, and builder Pulte Home Company to tweak the plan.

Trustee Renee Suwanski specifically called for larger garages and a plan more cohesive with surrounding development.

“We are listening to you,” Suwanski told neighbors. “We are hearing what you’re saying. I’m hesitant to approve this project.”

Trustees Stephanie Gandsey and Raymond Deyne agreed. That led Trustee Adam Hopkins, who chairs the board’s building and zoning committee, to say the plan couldn’t be approved as is.

Another neighbor concern was that the planned subdivision has only one access point.

The developer said a second is not feasible for various reasons, and Trustee Joe LaPorte added that single-access subdivisions do work elsewhere in the village.

Village President Dan Gunsteen said he stood behind the police department’s and fire district’s assessments that the single access would work. He told residents the village could work further with the developer, but there must be a recognition that something will be built on the vacant land.

Throughout the meeting, Gov. JB Pritzker’s Building Up Illinois Developments (BUILD) Act was cited as potential legislation that, if adopted, would make higher density multifamily housing more likely on any suburban sites not already spoken for.

As proposed, the Hawk Ridge townhouses would be two stories with front-loading garages divided among three-, four- and five-unit buildings. The units would range from 1,883 to 2,508 square feet with three or four bedrooms, 2½ to 3½ bathrooms and two-car garages.

Representatives for the developers said they were willing to work further on the plan. But village officials said they didn’t know how long it would take for a revised version to be submitted for review.

epeterson@dailyherald.com