The Lake Forest City Council on May 16 gave the approval to split a property into three lots despite concerns from several neighbors.
The only vote against the project came from Ald. Michelle Moreno, 4th, in whose ward the property is located.
Marlin Ventures of Highwood can now split a one-and-a-half acre property at 1363 Estate Lane East on the southwest corner of Estate Lane East and Oak Knoll Drive into three lots ranging from 20,000 to 25,000 square feet each and then build three homes.
The development was considered over the course of 10 months and three meetings of the Plan Commission, which voted to recommend the project at its April 21 meeting. Neighbors of the development were present at each meting to testify against the project. Five spoke out against the plans at the council meeting.
“This will be the densest subdivision by far in the area,” John Madigan said.
“It’s taking the value of the property from me without just compensation,” said Jacqueline Blatchford, who lives nearby.
Another neighbor, David Shaw, argued that the development will change the nature and character of the neighborhood.
Cathy Czerniak, community development director, said at previous meetings that the present zoning allows for the property to be split as long as the lots are 20,000 or more square feet and have frontages of 100 feet or greater.
Neighbors also expressed concern that the development might exacerbate drainage issues.
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“[The project] exceeds all city and country drainage requirements,” said Czerniak, adding that runoff would be no worse and might be improved after the developer installs infiltration trenches with a perforated pipe at the bottom.
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