Palatine townhouse development in the works

Plans for a 15-unit townhouse development in Palatine finally appear to be moving forward, but not without a few hiccups along the way.

The residential complex adjacent to the Palatine Animal Hospital on Northwest Highway first got preliminary approval in 2000, but final plans were never submitted.

In March 2008, officials gave the go-ahead to Aspen Glen LLC's proposal to build Palatine Glen, but never received the required letters of credit or review fees.

The project remained stagnant until Lexington Homes developers of the 58-unit townhouse development Willow Place in Wheeling recently stepped up to take over as builder.

The company has requested an 18-month extension to the Planned Development, which is currently set to expire in March. The village council was to have considered the request at Monday's meeting, but the issue was remanded back to staff so that Lexington can address concerns over its proposed change of materials and elevations.

Village Manager Reid Ottesen expects it to come before the council again sometime in December.

Ottesen said the approved plans call for a combination of brick, cement and a synthetic stucco, but that Lexington has asked to instead use a vinyl siding. He recommended the council turn down that modification so that materials are more natural and consistent with neighboring buildings.

Because the northern section of the 4.2-acre site is partially located in a wetland and floodplain, Lexington is proposing using the lot for a stormwater detention area that would discharge into the Palatine Hills Golf Course. The course already deals with flooding several times a year, and Lexington and its engineer have regularly been meeting with the Palatine Park District.

In addition, Aspen Glen, which still owns the site, has been working to apply for and secure permits from agencies including the park district, Metropolitan Water Reclamation District and Illinois Environmental Protection District.