We, the residents of Northbrook, Illinois, strongly oppose Pulte Home Company LLC’s Preliminary Review Request for rezoning, subdivision, Planned Unit Development (PUD), and Village Green Overlay approvals for a massive mixed-use project at 1901-1975 Cherry Lane (the current Meadow Plaza Shopping Center).

Pulte proposes to demolish the existing 90,000 sq ft shopping center and build three 6-story condominium buildings (150 for-sale units total) plus two commercial parcels on this 6.94-acre site. Each building would reach 67-68 feet in height, with the first floor dedicated to parking and upper floors stepped back. This requires multiple zoning reliefs, including height variances beyond the standard 4 stories allowed by-right in the C-2 district, subdivision of the property, a PUD, and rezoning/re-designation of a small IB-zoned parcel along Shermer Road.

Why we must oppose this:

•  Traffic and Safety Impacts: The site is at the busy southeast corner of Cherry Lane and Meadow Road, near the Cherry Lane underpass and existing commercial areas. Adding 150 new residential units plus future commercial development will significantly increase traffic, congestion, and safety risks on already burdened local roads. The proposal includes multiple curb cuts and a public internal road, but this does not adequately address cumulative impacts on our neighborhood.

•  School Overcrowding: The addition of 150 new housing units is expected to bring numerous additional school-age children into the community. This will result in overcrowding in Northbrook School District 28 (and potentially District 225), straining classroom space, teacher resources, programs, and facilities. Families already advocate hard for quality education and accommodations—further density without capacity planning threatens the excellence of our local schools.

•  Overdevelopment and Neighborhood Character: Northbrook values its balanced mix of residential and commercial spaces. Replacing a community shopping center with high-density, 6-story buildings will fundamentally alter the scale and feel of the Village Green area, towering over nearby R-8 multi-family homes, the Northbrook Shopping Plaza, and other properties. This sets a dangerous precedent for further intensification in our village.

•  Flooding and Environmental Risks: The property lies within the 100-year floodplain and is near the Cherry Lane underpass stormwater project. Clearing the site and adding extensive impervious surfaces (buildings, parking, roads) raises serious concerns about worsening flooding, stormwater management, and impacts on the adjacent riverwalk area. While a riverwalk amenity is proposed, it does not offset the broader risks.

•  Loss of Commercial Space and Community Needs: Meadow Plaza serves local residents with convenient retail. Converting most of it to residential reduces commercial options in a Village Center Mixed-Use area without guaranteed replacement that benefits the community.

•  Infrastructure Strain: Even with Metra proximity and adjusted parking requirements (1.35 spaces/unit), the addition of hundreds of new residents will strain schools, parks, utilities, and services. 

The Village Board is currently providing non-binding feedback at this Preliminary Review stage. This is our opportunity to speak up before a formal public hearing. We urge the Northbrook Village Board of Trustees to:

1.  Provide strong negative feedback on the proposal.

2.  Deny the requested rezoning, subdivision, PUD, height relief, and related amendments.

3.  Require any future redevelopment to respect current zoning limits (max 4 stories), maintain commercial viability, and fully address traffic, flooding, school capacity, and neighborhood compatibility.

Northbrook is a wonderful community precisely because we balance thoughtful growth with quality of life. This project represents overdevelopment that prioritizes developer profits over residents. Please join us in protecting our village for current and future families.

Sign this petition and share it with your neighbors, friends, and local officials. Attend the Village Board meetings and make your voice heard during public comment!