Zoning Board of Appeals, 27 Jul 2026: Driving Range Netting Height Variance
The Northbrook Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing on a request by the Northbrook Park District to raise safety netting at Heritage Oaks Golf Course from 70 feet to 160 feet along Dundee Road.
Key items
- Heritage Oaks Driving Range Netting Variance — A 160-foot netting structure along Dundee Road would be more than double the current height and could affect sight lines, aesthetics, and traffic safety for nearby drivers and residents.
- Public Comment Opportunity — Residents can address the board on any zoning matter within its jurisdiction not otherwise on the agenda, making this the public's formal opportunity to weigh in.
Full agenda — click any item to expand
Minutes Approval — June 22, 2026
The board will review and vote on the minutes from its previous meeting on June 22, 2026. This is a routine administrative item.
ZBA26-0006 — Heritage Oaks Golf Course Netting Height Variance (3535 Dundee Road)
The Northbrook Park District is asking for a variance to increase the height of driving range safety netting at the north end of Heritage Oaks Golf Course from the current 70 feet to 160 feet. The property's zoning ordinance caps accessory structure height at 15 feet; the existing 70-foot netting was itself authorized by a 1990 variance. The Park District states that advances in golf equipment and increased participation have led to more golf balls landing on Dundee Road and in the parking lot, creating safety hazards. The board will hear public testimony and consider whether to grant the additional height relief.
Public Comment Time
Residents may address the board on any matter within its jurisdiction that is not otherwise on the agenda. Speakers must submit a written form before the meeting, are limited to three minutes each, and should expect no immediate response or dialogue from board members.
What actually happened
Zoning Board of Appeals, 27 Jul 2026: Park District Wins 160-Foot Driving Range Net Variance
The Northbrook Zoning Board of Appeals unanimously approved a variance allowing the Northbrook Park District to raise driving range netting at 3535 Dundee Road from 70 feet to 160 feet, citing safety concerns after data showed more than 800 golf balls per year were clearing the existing net, including 20 that struck vehicles on Dundee Road.
Docket ZBA26-0006 — 3535 Dundee Road: Driving Range Net Height Variance
The Northbrook Park District petitioned to increase the height of driving range netting at the north end of its golf facility from the current 70 feet — itself the product of a 1990 variance (90-Z-4) from the base 15-foot accessory-structure limit — to 160 feet. Executive Director Chris Leiner and Director of Golf Operations Greg Baron presented radar-tracked data showing that of roughly 3 million balls hit per year, over 800 annually clear the existing net, and 20 have struck cars on Dundee Road. The board was told alternative solutions such as relocating the driving range are cost-prohibitive, that a structural engineer is involved in the design, and that Park Ridge recently installed netting of the same height. The board voted 4–0 to approve the variance, conditioned on construction being in substantial compliance with the plans reviewed at the July 27, 2026 meeting; Chairman Decker also directed staff to note in the Findings of Fact that netting and tracking technology has significantly improved since 1990.
Northbrook Court Redevelopment — Informal Remarks
During "Remarks for the Good of the Order," Chairman Decker asked for a brief update on a potential redevelopment of Northbrook Court. Zoning Administrator Richard Peters described it as private property currently for sale, with tenants on short-term leases, and said the Village's role is to evaluate whether any proposed use is best for Northbrook. Peters noted that housing is being considered for the area and that Tax Increment Financing districts have shown decent results in comparable situations. No formal action was taken, and Chairman Decker noted the topic would be discussed at a Village Hall meeting the following evening.
Read the official documents
{
"card_hook": "Northbrook Park District wins unanimous approval to raise driving range nets at 3535 Dundee Road from 70 to 160 feet after data showed 20 balls struck cars on Dundee Road.",
"key_items": [
{
"title": "160-Foot Driving Range Net Variance Approved",
"why_matters": "Netting roughly 16 stories tall will be built at the Dundee Road golf facility to stop errant balls from reaching the road and parking lot — drivers and nearby residents will see a major new structure on the skyline."
},
{
"title": "Northbrook Court Redevelopment Discussion",
"why_matters": "The mall is for sale, tenants are on short-term leases, and housing additions are being considered — changes that could significantly reshape a major commercial node in the village."
}
]
}