Orland Park Greenlights 20-Unit Housing Project Amid Local Concerns

UPDATE: The Orland Park Village Board has approved a controversial 20-unit housing development on the 14100 block of 108th Avenue, moving forward despite significant community pushback. In a heated meeting on November 6, 2023, board members addressed resident concerns over the Bridlewood project, with plans to alter the project to include more trees and a revised walking path.

Mayor Jim Dodge expressed optimism about the project, stating, “I think there’ll be pretty strong demand for this kind of project.” However, local residents like Brandon Hubby voiced their opposition, arguing against the removal of 50 trees that serve as a community landmark. “None of the residents in that neighborhood are for this — we’re all against it,” Hubby asserted during the meeting.

In response to community feedback, the developer, Richard Turk, agreed to enhance landscaping by adding 18 evergreen trees along the property’s boundaries, creating a more substantial buffer. Additionally, the planned walking path has been shortened and moved away from the Old Tamarack neighborhood, addressing some concerns regarding safety and aesthetics.

Despite these changes, Trustee Cynthia Nelson Katsenes raised critical questions about parking, fearing overflow could lead to dangerous situations on 108th Avenue. “Is there any way we can include no parking on 108th Avenue?” Katsenes inquired, highlighting the potential hazards due to poor visibility on the hill.

The board’s vote to rezone the property from E-1 estate residential to R-3 residential was narrowly passed at 7-1, with Katsenes voting against the project.

In a related decision, the board also approved covering snow removal costs for the temporary Illinois Secretary of State DMV facility located at CTF Illinois. With an estimated cost of up to $37,000 from November 15 to April 15, the village acknowledged the transition challenges faced by the DMV after the end of its lease with Orland Township.

Village Manager George Koczwara explained, “Because the township only granted the secretary of state’s office the required 90-day notice to vacate, it was unable to budget for snow removal services.” This decision was met with opposition from some trustees who expressed concern over the precedent it sets for nonprofit organizations seeking financial assistance from the village.

Trustee William Healy criticized the agreement, labeling it a “handout” to a nonprofit, while Katsenes emphasized that the state has more resources than Orland Park.

Trustee Joanna Leafblad defended the decision, stating it provides necessary services to residents visiting the DMV, ensuring they do not have to navigate snow or ice to access the facility.

As these developments unfold, community members continue to voice their concerns about the impact of the new housing project and the financial commitments of the village. Residents are encouraged to stay engaged as the board addresses ongoing feedback and challenges related to the Bridlewood development and the DMV facility.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.