Glenview approves front‑nine renovation at Valley Lo[w] Club after tree and neighbor concerns

The Glenview Board of Trustees voted unanimously on May 19 to approve first consideration of an ordinance amending the planned development, granting final site‑plan review and preliminary landscaping approval for renovation of the front nine holes at Valley Lo[w] Club (2200 Tanglewood Drive).

Director Jeff Brady summarized the proposal: the front‑nine redesign will require regrading, stormwater improvements, realignment of multiple holes, removal of 45 trees and a replacement obligation of 312 trees under the village tree‑preservation ordinance. The applicant proposed planting 110 trees on site and described constraints that may require some replacement value be paid as fines under the ordinance. Brady noted that work in or near the floodplain will require engineering plan review and permits and outside‑agency reviews including the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD).

Judy Higgins, general manager of Valley Lo[w] Club, said the club follows an eight‑year rolling capital plan and will phase work so the back nine follows the front nine once permits are obtained. "We didn't want to close all 18 holes in one year," Higgins said, adding the club is member‑owned and that recent interior clubhouse refreshes were completed in 2022–23.

Trustees asked whether Glenview has an ordinance restricting use of the herbicide Roundup (Director Brady confirmed no such ordinance) and sought clarity on how tree‑replacement requirements and fines would be enforced as part of the permit process. Neighbors raised concerns that planting replacement trees along the northern property line would obscure views from nearby townhouses; trustees and staff discussed dispersing replacement trees elsewhere on the property to balance maintenance needs, view corridors and the ordinance's planting intent.

During public comment, William Sites alleged the chair should recuse because of ties to the club; the board and village attorney reiterated the governing recusal standard requires an economic benefit and stated none existed in this case. No owner or outside applicant rebuttal was recorded in the meeting minutes.

The motion to approve 11A was offered by Trustee Bland, seconded by Trustee Jones, and carried by unanimous voice vote. As part of next steps, the applicant must submit a detailed landscape plan showing species, sizes, locations, a planting schedule and any fines if full on‑site replacement is infeasible; engineering plans and permits (including MWRD review) are required before work can begin.

Votes at a glance: Minutes of 05/05/2026: motion carried with two abstentions (recorded by the chair as Trustee Bland and Trustee Jones). Consent agenda (including DeMeo Brothers Inc. contract award for Depot Street parking & utilities not to exceed $2,066,395): approved by roll‑call vote; recorded as unanimous. Ordinance 11A (Valley Lo[w] Club front nine): motion approved by unanimous voice vote.

Ending: The board approved the site changes subject to final landscape and engineering approvals and required permits; staff will coordinate the required follow‑up reviews and return materials to the board and commissions as needed before construction.