Westmont board approves 31-unit car-condominium PUD at 755 Oakmont with revised fence standard

The Westmont Village Board voted to approve a planned unit development for 31 car-condominiums at 755 Oakmont Lane, permitting accessory clubhouse uses and several zoning deviations after amending the fence requirement to a 7-foot height with up to 30% openness.

Senior Planner Scott Williams told the board the project would use recent zoning-code updates to allow the car-condo use and that Planning & Zoning recommended approval except for a fence deviation. "The requests here tonight are from Torque Suites for 31 car condominiums on the property," Williams said, describing a gated site with a clubhouse and accessory uses and noting prohibited activities such as in-unit auto repair and residential occupancy.

Board members and the applicant debated whether an open aluminum fence would allow foul balls from the adjacent high-school baseball field to pass through. The applicant’s representative told the board the company preferred a typical 6-foot open aluminum fence but said sales momentum is strong: "We've hit the ground running with sales probably 2 months ago. We have 3 reservations as of this past week," the representative said. After discussion the board amended the motion to allow a 7-foot fence with up to 30% openness to balance airflow and safety concerns; the amended motion passed on roll call.

The board noted the school district submitted a letter of no objection and that the project relies on covenants and a condominium association to restrict certain uses. The mayor and trustees praised staff work on zoning updates that made the project possible. The board asked the developer to notify the village when construction begins; no ground-breaking date was set during the meeting.