Pulte Homes Plans 132-Home Subdivision in Chicago Suburbs

Pulte Homes has development plans in Chicago’s southwest suburb of Orland Park.

The 72-acre project, dubbed Estates at Ravinia Meadows, calls for a 132-home subdivision southwest of La Grange Road and 159th Street,, the Chicago Tribune reported.

Homes will range from 2,600 to 3,400 square feet, and amenities could include trails, a playground and tree-preservation areas. If approved by village officials, construction could begin this summer.

One of the most significant challenges for Pulte involves stormwater management. Residents raised concerns about the functionality of an existing detention pond maintained by Costco, which is intended to handle runoff from 20 acres of the proposed development.

Sharon Barta, whose family owns land northeast of the site, told officials that “every time something gets built around us, the water gets dumped on our land.”

The Atlanta-based homebuilder, headed by president and CEO Ryan Marshall, plans to install a second detention pond at the southern end of the property to manage runoff from the remaining 50 acres. Village engineers have been tasked with evaluating the condition of the Costco pond before construction begins.

Traffic concerns have also been a focal point of discussions. Nearby residents fear increased congestion, particularly with Ravinia Avenue serving as the primary northern access point. The village’s plan to extend Ravinia Avenue to 161st Street may alleviate some of those worries, while southern access will be provided via 165th Street.

Pulte’s plans include over a mile of trail that will be open to the public, as well as curved streets throughout the subdivision to discourage cut-through traffic.

The subdivision is part of Pulte Homes’ broader regional efforts, which include developments like Gleneagles in Lemont and Southmoor in Orland Park.

Single-family detached homes in suburban Chicago are taking a little longer to sell than they were a year ago, according to Mainstreet Realtors. Homes spent an average of 41 days on the market in November, up four days from the previous year. However, home prices increased 6.1 percent to a median of $376,500.

— Andrew Terrell