6 Years Later, Burr Ridge Homes Unbuilt

BURR RIDGE, IL – Six years later, the proposed Cottages of Drew subdivision on the southwest corner of Drew Avenue and 79th Street in Burr Ridge remains unbuilt.

The developer, Jarper Properties, has asked for a one-year extension to the agreement for the eight-lot neighborhood.

In 2021 and 2023, the board granted extensions.

According to village documents, the extra year would give Jarper time to sell the property to Alliance International Group, which would complete the subdivision.

The Village Board is set to take up the issue Monday.

While one year was requested, the staff-prepared proposal is only for six months. That, the village said, is to ensure the new owner makes timely efforts to pay outstanding fees, submit the necessary letter of credit and start the project.

In 2018, the board approved the zoning and engineering for the project. A year later, it signed off on the final plat.

Over the years, the village has not been shy about rejecting requests from the developer.

In December 2019, Jarper asked the village to waive $118,000 in fees because concerns over wetlands would prevent the village from widening 79th and Drew and adding sidewalks on those streets.

But village trustees said all previous subdivisions, except one, had to pay fees. No waiver was given.

In 2022, the developer asked for changes to the plan, including three-car garages, rather than two-car ones.

At the time, trustees expressed frustration that the developer had yet to start the project four years after zoning approval.

Trustee Guy Franzese said he saw "a lot of monotony" in the new proposal, which conflicts with the village's anti-monotony standards for housing developments.

And he said the garages appeared to be displayed more prominently than the houses.

"They look like garages with attached homes," he said.

Franzese further contended the new plan made the project too dense.

The board voted 3-2 to reject the revised plan.