The Zoning, Planning and Appeals board recommended approval of the final plat for the Ridgefield Park plan unit development (village case 25ZPA03001), which will create individual lots and easements for a 38-unit residential project composed of duplex and triplex townhome buildings.

Staff said the plat complies with village standards and identified two minor corrections required before recording: correct the spelling of Reuben Lane and fix the sheet numbering from “sheet 1 of 1” to “sheet 1 of 2.” "The plat has been reviewed by staff, and is compliant with our standards and regulations," Brian Simmons, Director of Community Development, said. "There were two comments on the plat as far as changes that would need to be made before it is recorded — very minor items."

The recommendation follows prior zoning approvals for the project, including a comprehensive-plan amendment that changed the site's land-use designation from industrial employment to multi-family residential and rezoning to R-3 (multi-family residential) as part of the Ridgefield Park PUD. Simmons told the board the approvals and conditions established during the earlier review are carried forward and will be enforced during the permit stage.

Developer Jay Dula, managing partner of Ridgefield Homes, told the ZPA the team has submitted final engineering, is out for bids for land-development work, has posted required bonds and expects to begin construction this year. "We're out for bid with some of the land development subcontractors trying to pull all that together," Dula said. He also said the firm's downtown Ridgefield Landing project has sold its first two units and that the developer will convey individual townhouse lots fee simple once party walls and foundations are established.

A member of the public, Chris Rehe of Lloyd Street, used the public-comment period to ask how properties change land-use designations and how much influence the ZPA versus the village board and mayor have over rezonings. Chair and staff explained the ZPA's role: the ZPA reviews petitions, makes a recommendation, and the Board of Trustees makes the final decision. "We review what would be brought before us and then we send it up to the Board of Trustees...and they make the final decision," Simmons said.

After discussion the chair called for a motion to recommend approval of the final plat. A motion and second were recorded; the board voted by roll call and six members voted yes. The chair indicated the village board will likely place the item on a consent agenda for final action.

Why it matters: The final plat creates the legal lots and easements needed to record the subdivision and begin construction of the Ridgefield Park townhomes. Approvals already granted (comp-plan amendment and rezoning/PUD) change the site's long-term use from industrial to residential and clear a path for a 38-unit development that the developer says it expects to build this year.

Votes at a glance: The ZPA recorded a roll-call recommendation to approve the final plat. Recorded yes votes: Cassider; Kretchmer; O'Loughlin; Trandell; Williams; Corey. Mover and seconder were not named on the record. Minor plat corrections were required before recording (Reuben Lane spelling; sheet numbering). The recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees.