Frankfort Approves Final Plan for 14-Lot Industrial Park With Solar Component

Frankfort Village Board Meeting | June 1, 2026

Article Summary: The Frankfort Village Board on Monday, June 1, 2026, granted final development plan and final plat approval for Frankfort Pointe, a 14-lot light industrial and commercial subdivision on roughly 133 acres at the village’s eastern edge — the only portion of Frankfort located in Cook County — that will include an approximately 52-acre solar energy installation.

Frankfort Pointe Key Points:

• The board approved the final development plan for Lots 2, 13 and 14 and the final plat of subdivision as part of its unanimous consent agenda, passing 5-0 with five trustees present.
• The development covers about 133.25 acres at the southeast corner of Harlem Avenue and Sauk Trail, commonly known as 7200 Sauk Trail, Richton Park, and includes 11 industrial lots, two stormwater detention lots and the solar component.
• The Plan Commission forwarded both approvals on unanimous 7-0 recommendations at its May 14 meeting.
• Approval carries five conditions covering fencing, stockpile limits, detention-basin maintenance and right-of-way improvements pending Cook County review.

FRANKFORT — The Frankfort Village Board on Monday, June 1, 2026, gave final approval to the development plan and subdivision plat for Frankfort Pointe, clearing the way for a 14-lot light industrial and commercial park anchored by a large solar energy installation on the village’s eastern boundary.

The approvals, presented by Trustee Adam Borrelli, were enacted as part of the board’s unanimous consent agenda in a single 5-0 roll-call vote. The development sits on approximately 133.25 acres at the southeast corner of Harlem Avenue and Sauk Trail, commonly known as 7200 Sauk Trail in Richton Park. According to the agenda packet, the parcel is located along the village’s eastern boundary and is the only portion of the Village of Frankfort situated within Cook County.

The board took two related actions: it accepted the Plan Commission’s recommendation and approved the final development plan for proposed Lots 2, 13 and 14, and it approved the final plat of subdivision prepared by Geotech Inc., dated Sept. 17, 2025. The Planned Unit Development for Frankfort Pointe was previously approved by the board on March 16, 2026, and the Plan Commission forwarded both of the recommendations approved Monday on unanimous 7-0 votes at its May 14 meeting.

A Mix of Industry, Detention and Solar

The development is planned as 11 multi-acre industrial lots and two multi-acre stormwater detention lots, along with an approximately 52-acre solar energy component, according to the packet. At the Plan Commission’s May 14 meeting, applicant representative Chuck Smith of Arete Design Studio fielded questions about utility access on the site, and Paul Irby of Dimension Solar told commissioners that Commonwealth Edison had not yet begun detailed design of the utility poles serving the project.

Much of the commission’s discussion centered on easements. Commissioners pressed the applicant on whether a sidewalk easement along Sauk Trail and a ComEd access easement were reflected on the plat. Village planning staff advised that a specific access easement for the sidewalk was required per the village’s consulting engineer, and the commission added language directing that a public access easement be included. Staff noted the team was still awaiting Cook County requirements, meaning the sidewalk could ultimately be placed within the right of way.

Conditions Attached to the Approval

The final development plan approval carries five conditions. Final engineering approval must include confirmation from the Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways for required right-of-way improvements along Harlem Avenue and Sauk Trail, including any paths or sidewalks. Fence screening for Lot 2 along street frontage lines is to be wood fence as shown in the plans, with non-street frontage lines built as 8-foot black vinyl-coated chain-link fence with vinyl slats. The property owner or a developer-established association must maintain all detention basins and plantings on Lots 13 and 14.

Two conditions address site management during buildout. Dirt and clay stockpiles are permitted only on Lots 11 and 12 for periods not to exceed one year from the first building permit unless extended, with the village retaining the right to draw on an approved letter of credit — after 10 days’ written notice — to relocate or remove improperly placed or problem stockpiles. And no later than 18 months after the first building permit is issued, the developer must restore any remaining vacant lots to a flattened subgrade, add black dirt and seed them to establish a maintainable grass cover until they are built upon.

The final plat approval was made subject to final engineering approval, Cook County transportation approval and any necessary technical revisions prior to recording. It was further conditioned on an emergency access easement along the south property line of proposed Lot 1, allowing emergency vehicle access to and from Anderson Court, and a public access easement for the proposed sidewalk along Sauk Trail.

The item drew no board discussion Monday, having been placed on the consent agenda as routine. Trustee Jessica Petrow was absent from the meeting.