Village Board, 26 May 2026: 150 Condos, 320 Apartments Head Major Development Reviews
Two large residential proposals—Pulte's 150-unit condo plan for Meadow Plaza and Habitat's 320-apartment pitch for Village-owned Shermer Road land—headline a packed agenda that also advances a downtown TIF study and new water meter fees.
Key items
- Pulte: 150 condos at Meadow Plaza — Three six-story buildings would replace the existing shopping center at 1901 Cherry Lane, reshaping a major commercial site.
- Habitat: 320 apartments on Village land — A purchase agreement and zoning review for 1657 Shermer Road would transfer 8.8 acres of Village-owned property to a private developer.
- Downtown TIF district study — Authorizing the study is the first formal step toward a financing tool that could redirect downtown property tax growth for redevelopment.
- Water meter replacement fee — Residents who miss the July 31, 2026 deadline to replace their meters would face a new administrative fee to cover manual reading costs.
- Wood Oaks annexation and rezoning — Voluntary annexation of a parcel adjacent to Wood Oaks Jr. High School and its rezoning to institutional use would enable a new bus circulation lane.
Full agenda — click any item to expand
Village Board Protocols and Five-Year Strategic Plan
The Board will vote on formally adopting written protocols governing common Board practices, developed through Committee of the Whole sessions dating to September 2025. It will also take final action on the Village's first five-year Strategic Plan, incorporating updates presented at the April 28, 2026 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Proclamations: LGBTQ Pride Month and Gun Violence Awareness Day
The Village President will issue proclamations recognizing June as LGBTQ Pride Month and June 5, 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Day.
Consent Agenda: Technology, Roads, Solar, Annexation, and More
The consent agenda bundles more than a dozen items, including a three-year Granicus subscription renewal for legislative management and meeting streaming, a wireless network hardware upgrade at all Village facilities through Sentinel Technologies, Motor Fuel Tax appropriations and a contract with Schroeder Asphalt Services for the 2026 asphalt street rehabilitation program, and a ComEd interconnection agreement for a new solar system at the Public Works Center. Also included are a joint IDOT funding agreement tying state grant money to Skokie Boulevard pavement rehabilitation from Lake-Cook Road to approximately Sunset Ridge Road, Wood Oaks Jr. High School items covering voluntary annexation of a contiguous parcel for a bus circulation lane, a final plat of subdivision, a Comprehensive Plan amendment, and rezoning to the IB Institutional Building District. Rounding out the consent agenda are an affordable-unit covenant amendment for the completed Pointe Drive townhomes that does not change the number or value of affordable units, a reduction in Class A liquor licenses reflecting the closure of Buffalo Wild Wings at 1018 Willow Road, and approval of April 28, 2026 closed session minutes.
Taekwondo Academy Special Permit Renewal — Public Hearing
The Board will hold a state-required public hearing before acting on an ordinance renewing the special permit for K.H. Kim's Taekwondo Academy at 3141 Dundee Road, which operates in the C2 zoning district.
Pulte Homes: 150-Unit Condo Development at Meadow Plaza
Pulte Home Company LLC is seeking preliminary review of a rezoning and redevelopment of the privately owned Meadow Plaza Shopping Center at 1901 Cherry Lane. The proposal calls for three six-story condominium buildings with 50 units each, plus two commercial parcels reserved for future development; Pulte holds a purchase contract on the property.
Habitat Development: 320 Apartments on Village-Owned Shermer Road Property
The Board will consider two linked items involving approximately 8.8 acres of Village-owned land at 1657 Shermer Road. First is a proposed purchase and sale agreement with Habitat Development Company, which includes earnest money and is contingent on the company obtaining necessary zoning approvals. Second is a preliminary review of Habitat's application to build a mixed-use building with roughly 320 luxury apartments and 8,000 square feet of commercial space on the site.
Downtown TIF District Study Authorization
The Board will vote on a resolution authorizing preparation of a report and study on a potential Northbrook Downtown Tax Increment Financing district, consistent with State statute, for future public review before any Board action. The move follows community feedback gathered during Strategic Plan development at multiple public meetings in 2025 and 2026.
Water Meter Replacement Fees
Two ordinances stemming from a May 12, 2026 Committee of the Whole discussion would amend the municipal code on meters and meter-reading devices and establish an administrative fee in the annual fee ordinance for customers who have not replaced their water meters by July 31, 2026, to offset manual meter-reading costs.
What actually happened
Village Board, 26 May 2026: $10.5M Sale Launches Downtown Redevelopment Push
The Board approved a $10.5 million sale of the former Grainger property on Shermer Road, initiated a downtown TIF district, and heard preliminary plans to redevelop Meadow Plaza Shopping Center — all while neighbors pushed back on a contested bus loop expansion at Wood Oaks Junior High.
$10.5 Million Sale of Former Grainger Property Approved
The Board voted 6–0 to approve a real estate purchase and sale agreement with Habitat Development Company LLC for Lot 2 of the former Grainger site at 1657 Shermer Road, priced at $10.5 million. Village Attorney Elrod noted the agreement includes provisions for due diligence, zoning review, and TIF consideration. The Board also voted 6–0 to reserve a public hearing for Habitat's separate preliminary request for a mixed-use residential and commercial planned unit development at the same address.
Downtown TIF District Process Initiated
The Board voted 6–0 to approve a resolution providing for potential reimbursement of eligible costs connected to a proposed Northbrook Downtown Tax Increment Financing development plan. Village Attorney Elrod explained that under state TIF law, new property tax revenue generated by growth in the redevelopment area would be reinvested to support development and infrastructure improvements within that same area.
Meadow Plaza Redevelopment Concept Advances to Public Hearing
The Board received a preliminary review of a request by Pulte Home Company LLC to rezone, subdivide, and develop a mixed-use project at 1901–1975 Cherry Lane, currently the Meadow Plaza Shopping Center. Trustees generally supported the concept but flagged traffic, building height, environmental remediation, and downtown character as issues requiring further examination if a formal application is filed. The Board voted 6–0 to reserve a public hearing on the matter. Multiple public commenters urged the Board to protect existing small businesses, preserve downtown character, and carefully weigh traffic and density impacts of taller development.
Wood Oaks School Bus Loop Expansion Tabled
Four ordinances and resolutions related to annexation, rezoning, subdivision, and a comprehensive plan amendment for 1250–1390 Sanders Road — the Wood Oaks Junior High School site — were each tabled 6–0 until the June 9, 2026 Board meeting. The project involves a parking lot expansion, bus circulation improvements, and annexation of a Cook County parcel. Eleven residents spoke in opposition or with conditions, raising concerns about traffic congestion, flooding, pedestrian safety, and the adequacy of the traffic study near Walters and Sanders roads. The school district superintendent and the project's traffic engineer defended the study and design. Board discussion covered parking enforcement, restrictions, and potential ordinance amendments.
$100 Monthly Fee for Delayed Smart Meter Installation
The Board voted 6–0 to adopt two ordinances establishing a $100 monthly administrative fee for water customers who have not completed the required automated meter installation by July 31, 2026, and for customers granted a waiver from automated readings. Deputy Director Morrison explained the fee is intended to offset the cost of continued manual meter reading in those cases.
Five-Year Strategic Plan Adopted
The Board voted 6–0 to adopt Resolution 2026-R-32, approving the Village's Five-Year Strategic Plan. No additional detail about the plan's contents was included in the meeting record.
Street Rehabilitation and Skokie Boulevard Projects Approved
As part of the consent agenda, the Board approved Motor Fuel Tax appropriations and a contract with Schroeder Asphalt Services, Inc. of Huntley, Illinois for the 2026 Asphalt Street Rehabilitation Program, as well as a joint funding agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation for grant funding toward Skokie Boulevard improvements and a related MFT appropriation for that project.
Police Chief Retirement Announced; New Businesses Welcomed
Village Manager Pavlicek announced the upcoming retirement of Police Chief Ustich and noted the completion of a firefighter paramedic program. President Ciesla welcomed Cinnabon and Auntie Anne's Pretzel to Northbrook and announced upcoming community events including Community Action Day on May 30 and Flamingo Friday on June 5.
Read the official documents
{
"card_hook": "Northbrook approves $10.5M sale of former Grainger site at 1657 Shermer Road and launches downtown TIF district.",
"key_items": [
{
"title": "$10.5M Grainger Property Sale",
"why_matters": "The Village approved selling the former Grainger site at 1657 Shermer Road for $10.5 million to a developer planning a mixed-use project, reshaping a major commercial corridor."
},
{
"title": "Downtown TIF District Initiated",
"why_matters": "A new Tax Increment Financing district could redirect future property tax growth to fund redevelopment and infrastructure in the downtown area, affecting long-term tax distribution."
},
{
"title": "Meadow Plaza Redevelopment Preliminary Review",
"why_matters": "Pulte Home Company wants to replace the Meadow Plaza Shopping Center at 1901–1975 Cherry Lane with a mixed-use development, raising concerns about business displacement, height, and traffic."
},
{
"title": "Wood Oaks Bus Loop Tabled to June 9",
"why_matters": "A contested bus turnaround and parking expansion at Wood Oaks Junior High on Sanders Road was delayed amid strong neighborhood opposition over traffic, flooding, and safety concerns."
},
{
"title": "$100/Month Fee for Delayed Smart Meter Install",
"why_matters": "Residents who have not installed an automated water meter by July 31, 2026 will face a $100 monthly fee, creating a direct cost for those who delay or opt out."
}
]
}