Northbrook Village Board Sends Shopping Center Redevelopment to Plan Commission

The Northbrook Village Board has decided to refer a developer’s proposal to the Plan Commission. This proposal involves tearing down Meadow Plaza Shopping Center on Cherry Lane and constructing three condo buildings. The Board voted on August 25 to change their initial review process, opting to let the Plan Commission make the first assessment.

During the meeting, only Trustee Johannah Hebl opposed the motion, while the room was filled with Northbrook residents who have protested the development in the past. Village officials estimated the presence of at least 100 residents. Developer Pulte Homes has submitted an application to redevelop Meadow Plaza into three six-story condominium buildings. This would include 150 units, with 23 marked as affordable, and two commercial parcels alongside a river walk.

For many residents, the shopping center, open since 1959, is vital for daily needs, housing stores like Ace Hardware, a shoe repair shop, and a dry cleaner. Pulte Homes first presented a preliminary proposal in May and followed with a zoning application by August 3. Residents at the meeting reiterated concerns about increased density, potential traffic issues around schools, and displacement of local businesses.

“I know one of the trustees mentioned how the village would help the stores who may have to open somewhere else, but when that small business owner is in a different place, he or she often gets forgotten,” said resident Jane Mentzer.

Zoning guidelines in Northbrook cap building heights at four stories, necessitating a special permit process for anything taller. Therefore, the development needs to proceed through a Planned Unit Development process. Trustees collectively decided to have the Plan Commission review before the Board further considers the proposal.

Village Communications Director Anna Ables noted that this allows the Plan Commission to focus more on zoning issues. Still, Village President Kathryn Ciesla stated that the application needs completion, lacking crucial details. The Plan Commission’s hearing date remains unset.

Further, residents have complained about unanswered Freedom of Information Act requests related to the development. Ciesla said the village attorney would investigate these claims.

Resident Susan Nelson has spearheaded the “Save Downtown Northbrook” initiative, gathering momentum with more than 5,000 signatures protesting the project. She emphasized local businesses’ familiarity within the community and the concerns about them being forgotten if relocated.

Village President Ciesla, in a statement, acknowledged the value of Meadow Plaza businesses, emphasizing the private property nature of the area and underscoring the village’s limited control. However, she reassured the commitment to support affected businesses by finding alternative commercial spaces.

Trustee Hebl highlighted the necessity of following due process throughout the meeting, reinforcing that legal processes and hearings are essential in considering such a redevelopment proposal.