I wanted to re-emphasize two concerns regarding this development as you consider approval:
1) Setbacks – Both, Jim Russ and Ken Rathje, have testified during council or planning commission sessions that the ROW setbacks exception requests on Carpenter and Brookbank are NOT necessary. Based upon this, it would seem be a reasonable conclusion that the requirement to grant an exception - “a practical difficulty or particular hardship” - has not been met. So why is the village granting the exception?
Clearly, these setbacks will not be consistent with the character of the neighborhood on the Carpenter street side. My house is directly across the street from the development. It has a right of way of 35 feet plus a setback of 43 feet for a total of 78 feet. The three houses to the south of me are each at least 150 feet from the street. These houses are also directly across the street from the development. The current plans show the new development houses on Carpenter at 63 feet from the center of the road. These houses will be 10 to 15 feet closer to the street than any house on Carpenter.
2) Drainage Basin – Who will maintain this if the developer cannot sell lot 8? Although the drainage basin design may technically meet Downers Grove code, it does not meet the standard of good judgment as staff has indicated. It is an extremely aggressive design that leaves no opportunity for re-engineering when the contractors find the issues that are typical during construction. I am concerned that we will soon have another situation similar to the situation with Bradley Builders at 60th and Brookbank.
During a December planning commission meeting request for a lot split of “two lots (60 feet x 299 feet) with lot areas running approximately 17,000 sq. feet.” . . . “Mr. Russ closed by explaining that the hardship in this matter was denying the petition. By denying the request, the Plan Commission was requiring the owner to maintain a property that was twice as deep and one and one-half times the minimum lot area size that was required of anyone developing a parcel in the Village. If Mr. Russ believes that relatively flat piece of land at 120 feet by 299 feet is difficult to maintain, he must have very significant concerns about lot 8 given that it is close to the same size, includes 28% grades for the complete circumference, and includes a 7 foot 150 foot plus block wall.
Thank you for your consideration,
Mike Kelch