4-townhome project to replace 2 ‘run-down’ homes on Deerfield Road

A pair of homes along a well-traveled Highland Park road will soon be razed as a local developer prepares to bring new life to the two properties.

Highland Park’s City Council during its Monday, Nov. 10 meeting approved a planned development and final plat for a developer’s proposal to demolish two existing single-family homes at 932 and 942 Deerfield Road and construct a three-story, four-unit building, composed of individual townhome units.

The applicant, Alex Malecki, of Stalwart Development, told the city in a project narrative that developers will combine the two adjacent lots into one.

City documents confirm the site currently has two parcels with vacant residential dwellings. The site, per the city, is located on the south side of Deerfield Road slightly west of McDaniels Avenue. The homes have not yet been demolished but officials said demolition permits have been submitted and are under review.

In a letter sent to city officials, Malecki described the existing properties on the sites as “run down old buildings.”

Current plans call for each townhome unit to have an attached two-car garage with two guest parking spaces to the south. There is one proposed entry and exit point for vehicle access, which is off Deerfield Road, per city documents.

Malecki told officials that the townhomes will be three-bedroom units with three-and-a-half bathrooms each, will cover 3,000 square feet each and will stretch across the width of the lot.

The units, per Malecki, will be sold for purchase.

The development team did not state a direct timeline for the project Monday night but Malecki previously said they “plan to build them as soon as possible.”

“The project is thoroughly designed to enhance the beauty of the community,” Malecki said in his letter to the city. “This stunning new building will provide a wonderful living environment to four new occupants.”

Malecki later said he hopes the project will also “enhance the appeal of the community through new design and updated construction” and offer a “higher utilization while not impeding traffic or neighborhood flows.”

As part of the council’s approval, city staff will prepare approval documents for the proposal that will appear back in front of the council for final consideration at a future meeting.

Highland Park’s Plan and Design Commission previously reviewed the proposal across several meetings and ultimately offered a 6-1 vote to recommend approval. Commissioners, though, outlined several conditions with their approval.

Those conditions include an updated landscaping plan and the consideration of alternative options for the facade facing Deerfield Road.

The applicant, according to a memo from the city’s planning department, submitted an updated landscaping plan. Malecki also showcased updated renderings with new concepts for the facade at the Nov. 10 meeting.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.