While size irks some neighbors, The Walton gets go-ahead from Highland Park council

A condominium development is coming to Highland Park after the City Council unanimously granted the developer final approval.

The Walton, a five-story, 19-unit multi-family development, planned for 1650 Second St., was approved during the council’s final regular meeting of the year on Dec. 15.

The three votes councilmembers took included a plat of re-subdivision, a special use permit for the development, and the development agreement.

As previously reported by The Record, Fulton Developers proposed The Walton for on property adjacent to another of its recent projects, The Wolbright. The Walton is planned to have lower-level parking and two affordable-housing units. It will be built on three-and-a-half existing lots, on which a single-family dwelling and two multi-family dwellings currently exist.

The Walton first appeared in front of the City Council back in October, when councilmembers generally shared positive feedback with Mark Muller, president of Fulton Developers; however, they did feel that Fulton’s proposal of making the affordable units larger than necessary was not enough to be considered a “public benefit.”

Councilmembers also at the time expressed a desire for more green space.

At the Dec. 15 meeting, Joel Fontane, the city’s director of community development, said Fulton’s new proposed public benefit included their previous offer of donating $100,000 to the city’s housing trust fund and a $25,000 donation to the city’s place of remembrance for the July 4, 2022 parade shooting.

Muller confirmed to the council that Fulton would provide money for both, revising their initial offer to donate to one or the other.

Addressing the council’s concerns about green space, Fulton proposed a new landscaping plan for the parkway along Second Street in front of the building.

Muller said that since the area around the building is already “heavily landscaped,” the developers thought the parkway provided an opportunity for more green space.

The property owners at The Walton would reportedly be responsible for maintaining the landscaping.

Fontane added that Fulton also commissioned an updated traffic study, which he said determined that the area streets could accommodate the traffic by both The Walton and The Wolbright, and that there is adequate parking in the area for the anticipated parking demand.

Councilmembers asked mostly clarifying questions to Muller, many of which were in response to the four neighbors who spoke up during public comment.

Resident Jana Hill said she was concerned about the building’s size.

“Only a real reduction in the footprint and a redesign of the accompanying extensions will correct the bulk and intensity that’s been placed on our narrow street,” she said. “We moved to this neighborhood because it evoked ‘Home Alone,’ and not a new version of Chicagohenge.”

Another neighbor, Dale Cohodes, claimed that two heritage trees have been lost because of construction in the neighborhood, and he also shared Hill’s concerns about the size of the building.

“We will be looking at a large, unattractive building that does not fit the character of our neighborhood,” she said.

Councilmember Jon Center asked Muller if he could respond to Cohodes’ comment about the loss of heritage trees.

While Muller said that one heritage tree at 1 Highland Park was lost about two years after construction was finished, he said no other heritage trees have been lost during any of Fulton’s construction projects.

Councilmember Anthony Blumberg asked about an issue involving a heritage tree at The Wolbright.

Muller said a heritage tree needed to have its branches cut because they were “interfering with scaffolding” during masonry work. While an arborist was consulted on how to handle the branches, Muller said the city forester “wasn’t happy about the way it was cut.”

“We didn’t try to do anything that we were not allowed to do,” Muller said. “We’ve done everything possible for three years to protect that tree and we’re going to continue to do so.”

Blumberg requested that if something similar happens in the future developers first consult with the city forester before hiring an arborist. City attorney Steve Elrod noted that part of the agreement between Fulton Developers and the city includes a requirement to do exactly that if issues arise with any trees during The Walton’s construction.

Councilmember Annette Lidawer said she liked the improvements to the green spaces.

“There’s been a lot of thought that went into the green and the landscape, and I really appreciate what you’re doing upfront to make it feel more green, because this is covering so much,” she said.

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