March 28, 2024
Local News | Kane County Chronicle


Local News

Homes geared to empty nesters proposed near Charlestowne Mall

ST. CHARLES – A developer wants to build single-family houses and townhomes near Charlestowne Mall on the city's east side that are geared to empty nesters.

Plan commissioners on Tuesday started reviewing the concept plans, which call for 37 single-family homes and 23 attached single family buildings containing 92 townhouse units to be built on 28.54 acres of vacant land northeast of Charlestowne Mall and south of Foxfield Road. Joe Segobiano, of STCPR Consulting Inc., was seeking feedback on the plans. He is part of an investment company that has a contract to purchase the property.

STCPR Consulting Inc. is working with NVR, Inc., the parent company of builder Ryan Homes.

'We really like this demographic," said Scott Shelton of NVR, Inc., in talking to commissioners about the plans. "We think it's under served in the greater Chicago area."

Ryan Homes recently developed the Highland Woods subdivision in Elgin.

The land use plan adopted as part of the city's 2013 comprehensive plan identifies the west portion of the land as corridor/ regional commercial and the east portion as multi-family residential. As proposed, the entire proposal would be rezoned for residential.

In order to improve traffic circulation and connectivity to the residential neighborhoods to the north, the city has identified a need for a collector street connection between Smith Road and Foxfield Drive, which would traverse the property. As proposed, the previously platted and dedicated Charter One Avenue will be constructed along the current 80-foot wide right-of-way from its stubbed location on the east side of the property to its intersection with Foxfield Drive and King Edward Drive.

A stormwater management facility would be constructed at the northeast corner of the property to meet the city's stormwater management needs.

Plan commissioners generally liked the plans. However, some of the commissioners were concerned about the design of the homes – such as the look of the garage doors on the plan. They also would like to see spaces set aside for recreational use.

Nearby resident Mark Sawyer, who lives on King George Lane, wrote a letter voicing concerns about the proposal.

"My main concern is the proposed access road, Charter One Avenue, that exits onto Fox Field Drive," Sawyer said in the letter. "I think that would cause a major traffic problem for that intersection and for the portion of Foxfield Drive that continues to Kirk Road. Perhaps a better location could be considered, such as at the southwest corner of the property where there is an alley located and that would access onto the service road going past the Jewel store entrance all the way to Foxfield Drive where there is already an intersection."

A traffic study will be done to determine the proposal's impact on the area.