Village Board, 12 May 2026: Habitat Company Eyed for Shermer Road Property Sale
The board will weigh directing staff to draft a purchase-and-sale agreement with The Habitat Company for village-owned land at 1657 Shermer Road, while a packed consent agenda includes a $1 million roofing contract and new pedestrian safety infrastructure.
Key items
- 1657 Shermer Road sale — A deal with The Habitat Company would determine what gets built on village-owned land at a prominent Shermer Road address.
- Crestwood re-roofing contract — A $1,007,040 contract with Garland/DBS is the largest single expenditure on the agenda and affects a senior living facility.
- Kingston & Pfingsten pedestrian crossings — Engineering authorization for rectangular rapid flashing beacons moves the project toward construction at a busy intersection.
- Illinois Road parking restriction — A new prohibition on the south side of Illinois Road near Shermer would directly affect residents on that block.
- FY 2026 budget amendment — Supply chain disruptions and unexpected capital costs are prompting a mid-year budget revision whose dollar scope has not yet been disclosed.
Full agenda — click any item to expand
Possible sale of 1657 Shermer Road to The Habitat Company
Staff will present results of a Statement of Qualifications and Proposals process for the village-owned parcel at 1657 Shermer Road, which launched July 1, 2025. The board will consider directing the Village Manager and Village Attorney to negotiate a purchase-and-sale agreement with The Habitat Company for a mixed-use development, to be returned for formal approval at a future meeting.
Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan amendment referred to Plan Commission
The Village of Northbrook has filed an application to amend its Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan. Following staff review, the application may be scheduled for a Plan Commission public hearing in May 2026.
Consent agenda: roofing, vehicles, engineering, and more
The board will consider a contract with Garland/DBS, Inc. for Phase 2 re-roofing of the Crestwood Senior Living Facility at a not-to-exceed $1,007,040, plus a separate agreement with DCG Roofing Solutions for roof maintenance and emergency repairs at other village buildings. Additional items include purchasing four replacement Police Department vehicles from Currie Motors of Frankfort and authorizing engineering services with Kimley-Horn and Associates for pedestrian crossing improvements — including rectangular rapid flashing beacons — at Kingston Drive and Pfingsten Road.
Parking meter maintenance contract
The board will consider waiving competitive bidding and approving a maintenance agreement with Total Parking Solutions, LLC of Downers Grove to service the eight automated Cale Compact XL parking machines in the village's commuter lots.
Cemetery landscape maintenance contract
The board will consider a landscape maintenance agreement with Diaz Group, LLC of Calumet Park for the three village-owned cemeteries managed by Public Works.
IT server hardware maintenance
The board will consider purchasing annual maintenance and support for server hardware from Hewlett Packard Enterprise; the hardware hosts all on-premises applications and data used by village departments.
Plat of consolidation for 2218–2226 Center Avenue
The property owner at 2218 and 2226 Center Avenue seeks to demolish the house at 2218 Center and merge both parcels into a single lot of record for 2226 Center; the board will consider approving the consolidation plat.
Budget amendment for fiscal year 2026
The board will consider an ordinance amending the adopted FY 2026 budget to address significant cost increases tied to supply chain issues or unexpected capital costs identified through ongoing expenditure review.
Online raffle ticket sales added to municipal code
An ordinance would amend Chapter 15 of the Northbrook Municipal Code to allow online raffle ticket sales, updating current raffle regulations.
Public EV charging station policy for Village Hall
A resolution would establish policy governing two electric vehicle charging stations recently installed in the rear Village Hall parking lot for use by the public and village staff.
Parking restriction change on Illinois Road
An ordinance would prohibit parking on the south side of Illinois Road near its intersection with Shermer Road, in response to a resident request backed by signatures from at least eleven of eighteen potentially affected property owners on the block.
Commission reappointments
The board will consider reappointing residents to village commissions through April 30, 2029: Melissa Dane and Robert Tucker to the Community Commission; Ernie Halperin, Kittie Yohe, and Robert Sills to the Arts Commission; Becky Lee and Aaron Stash to the Sustainability Commission; and Fred Rosenberg to the Senior Services Commission.
Proclamations
The board will consider proclamations recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month, May 10–16 as Police Week, and May 17–23 as Public Works Week.
What actually happened
Village Board, 12 May 2026: Village Moves to Sell 1657 Shermer Road
The Northbrook Village Board voted 5–0 to direct staff to draft a purchase and sale agreement with The Habitat Company for a village-owned parcel at 1657 Shermer Road, setting the stage for a mixed-use multifamily development in the downtown. The board also approved new parking restrictions on Illinois Road and adopted an EV charging policy for Village Hall.
1657 Shermer Road Mixed-Use Redevelopment
The board unanimously directed the Village Manager and Village Attorney to prepare a purchase and sale agreement with The Habitat Company for the village-owned property at 1657 Shermer Road. Director McEwan presented the site's history, market conditions, and housing demand, framing the project as a mixed-use multifamily development intended to support downtown revitalization and expand housing options. Trustees voiced broad support, citing the need for greater density, housing diversity, and business vitality downtown. The agreement will come back to the board for consideration at a future meeting, and the project would still go through the standard public approval process.
Parking Restrictions on Illinois Road
The board adopted Ordinance 2026-26, amending the annual fee ordinance to alter parking restrictions on Illinois Road, by a 5–0 vote. Trustees said the changes are intended to improve visibility, reduce congestion, and address safety concerns raised by neighbors. An unidentified speaker addressed the board about collision dangers on the road prior to the vote.
EV Charging Station Policy at Village Hall
The board approved Resolution 2026-R-90 establishing a public electric vehicle charging station policy for Village Hall, on a 5–0 vote. Sustainability Coordinator Carney explained the policy sets usage guidelines, signage requirements, and time limits to support growing EV adoption and the Village's climate action goals.
Crestwood Senior Living Facility Roof Replacement
As part of the consent agenda, the board approved a not-to-exceed $1,007,040 agreement with Garland/DBS, Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio for Phase 2 re-roofing of the Crestwood Senior Living Facility (Resolution 2026-R-88). The consent agenda, covering items A through K, passed 5–0.
Shermer Road Corridor Update and Zoning Code Process
Village Manager Pavlicek updated the board on progress along the Shermer Road corridor, including work on a new side path, temporary impacts to commuter parking that are expected to be mostly restored after construction, and Metra parking usage that remains below pre-COVID levels. She also noted that upcoming zoning code corrections will go through a public hearing process, and the board received notice of an application assigned to the Plan Commission for amendments to the Northbrook Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan.
Warrant List
The board approved escrow deposit and performance bond refunds of $7,850.00 and payments totaling $3,509,423.58, both covering the period April 16–30, 2026, each by a 5–0 vote.
Commission Reappointments
The board approved eight reappointments to village commissions, each for terms ending April 30, 2029: Melissa Dane and Robert Tucker to the Community Commission; Ernie Halperin, Kittie Yohe, and Robert Sills to the Arts Commission; Becky Lee and Aaron Stash to the Sustainability Commission; and Fred Rosenberg to the Senior Services Commission. The vote was 5–0.
Proclamations and Community Recognition
President Ciesla presented proclamations recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month, May 10–16 as Police Week, and May 17–23 as Public Works Week. Rabbi Jacki Honig and Rabbi Mendel Shmotkin accepted the Jewish Heritage Month proclamation, with both rabbis thanking the board for supporting an inclusive community amid rising antisemitism. Police Chief Ustich and Public Works Director Hamill also accepted their respective proclamations. President Ciesla additionally noted the Rivian dealership under construction, Northbrook's 125th anniversary celebrations, a free native tree giveaway, and Climate Action Day on May 30.
Read the official documents
{
"card_hook": "Northbrook board votes to draft a sale agreement for 1657 Shermer Road with The Habitat Company for mixed-use multifamily development.",
"key_items": [
{
"title": "1657 Shermer Road redevelopment",
"why_matters": "The village is moving toward selling a downtown parcel for mixed-use multifamily housing, which could reshape the Shermer Road corridor and add new residents and businesses."
},
{
"title": "Illinois Road parking restrictions",
"why_matters": "New parking limits on Illinois Road aim to improve sight lines and reduce collision risk for drivers and residents in the area."
},
{
"title": "Crestwood Senior Living re-roofing: $1,007,040",
"why_matters": "The village is committing over $1 million to replace the roof at a senior living facility it owns, a significant capital expenditure for residents to track."
},
{
"title": "EV charging policy at Village Hall",
"why_matters": "New rules govern who can use public chargers at Village Hall and for how long, affecting EV drivers visiting the municipal campus."
},
{
"title": "Zoning code amendments heading to public hearing",
"why_matters": "Proposed changes to the Northbrook Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan will go through a Plan Commission public hearing, giving residents a formal opportunity to weigh in."
}
]
}