STAFF TO REVISIT BARNES CREEK NEIGHBORHOOD PLAN ALTERNATIVES

On Monday, May 18, the Pleasant Prairie Village Board considered the Plan Commission recommendation regarding the Barnes Creek Neighborhood Plan and denied approval of the three Neighborhood Plan alternatives presented. The Board further directed Village staff to revisit the plan alternatives and determine ways to reduce the density of the residential development that would be allowed within the neighborhood as it develops.

Earlier this year, the owner of property on which the former Keno Drive-In is located sought approval for a proposed Neighborhood Plan for the Barnes Creek Neighborhood. The proposed alternative depicted a different use, a 150,000 square foot retail supercenter, at the drive-in site. In response to the landowner’s proposed plan, Village staff drafted two additional alternative plans for the neighborhood. As part of the planning process, public input was sought, and on April 13, an Open House and Public Hearing were held related to the matter.

Varied public input regarding the properties within the neighborhood’s boundaries was received. On April 13, in response to input from the public, the land owner and Village staff, the Plan Commission voted to forward a recommendation to the Village Board that each of the three plan alternatives be denied and that staff and the landowners should revisit the three alternatives and determine ways to reduce the density of the residential development that would be allowed within the neighborhood.

On the evening of May 18, the Village Board approved the Plan Commission recommendation. Staff will now begin re-evaluating the plan alternatives for future revision and consideration. Based on feedback received during the public meetings, future Neighborhood Plan alternatives are not expected to include a layout for a retail supercenter.

The May 18 decision by the Village Board does not call for any immediate changes to the use of the land within the Barnes Creek Neighborhood. Current zoning still allows for a drive in theatre to operate in its existing location so long as the appropriate licensing guidelines have been met.