Developer receives initial support to build 224 units for senior living in DeKalb

DeKALB – Despite drawing both support and opposition from residents Monday, a local developer’s plan to build a 55-plus residential community on DeKalb’s north side was received favorably by an advisory panel.

A public hearing convened concerning a petition submitted by Brian Grainger on behalf of Rivermist by Grainger LLC to amend some ordinances for The Villas at Bridges of Rivermist on about 35 acres along the north side of Bethany Road, between Sangamon Road and Tygert Lane.

Of the four residents who spoke, all were opposed to the plan. Some written comments sent by residents to city staff supported the development, however, documents show.

DeKalb resident Sandy Anderson said she believes the project is a “bigger gamble” than the city may want to take. She’s also a member of the Riversmist Homeowners’ Association.

“This project will change the neighborhood dynamics forever,” Anderson said. “I just question whether it’s been really vetted … . For tax purposes, the petitioner says this could take 10-20 years to build it. That says, to me, correct me if I’m wrong, that the tax increase is going to be incremental. So if three or four homes are sold now or if even 10 as he’s suggesting, are we really doing anything by changing this to a multi-family project? What happens if the developer cannot sell as he’s predicted? What happens if he cannot finish the product?”

If approved by the DeKalb City Council, the plan would see built 224 units for senior living, including 22 single-family detached homes, 19 six-unit townhomes and 22 four-unit townhomes along the north side of Bethany Road between Sangamon Road and Tygert Lane in DeKalb.

Scot Spier, president of the board of directors’ for the Rivermist HOA, voiced support of the plan in a letter to the city.

Grainger responded to Anderson’s concerns, saying he believes those 55 and older offer a more stable housing market for sellers.

“No residential properties were immune to that, but 55-plus was less affected,” he said. “Something that attracted me to 55-plus is a high level of equity. We have a lot of cash buyers. Very little foreclosures happen in 55-plus. It’s a very stable market – good credit and strong equity. So it really, if anything, I think really adds stability to a community.”

According to the proposal, about 10 to 20 units would be built per year if approved. The full build could take up to two decades, according to city documents.

The 55-plus residential development would come with a number of amenities, including an outdoor pickle ball space, lounge, dog park, walking path, botanical garden, library, fitness center and a yoga studio.

During Monday’s Commission meeting, a handful of people made verbal remarks as dozens more sat watching the discussion. The Commission is tasked with reviewing development proposals and making recommendations to elected officials on how to move forward.

[ Developer wants to build 224 units for senior living in DeKalb ]

DeKalb resident Brian Scholle, who lives in the Rivermist neighborhood, said he’s concerned for the impact that a 55-plus residential development could have on surrounding properties in his subdivision.

Scholle said he’s concerned about how traffic patterns could change on Cutler Drive, or what might happen to existing green space on Lincoln Highway and Comstock Avenue with high density housing.

“When we purchased our home, we did not expect a development of this type,” Scholle said. “There are already high-density townhomes west of Sangamon [Road]. Everything west of Sangamon behind Gwendolyn Brooks School is all high-density townhomes. Is it necessary to add this density especially when it’s going to surround Gwendolyn Brooks School?”

Grainger said his original plan was operating under the assumption that people wanted to see more single family homes.

“It seemed like people don’t like the idea of single family,” Grainger said. “I thought that was a positive if we actually reduced density. I thought that was a great way. The initial thought was we had had multifamily up to that. Then, I thought it may be nice to buffer that.”

Some Commissioners called into the question the need for the proposed gate that would surround the 55-plus residential community.

Commissioner Shannon Stoker said she didn’t think it makes sense for the developer to propose a security gate.

“To me, it’s bizarre. You don’t have an access off of Bethany [Road], the only access into the neighborhood,” Stoker said. “You’re protecting yourself from your neighbors. I don’t understand why you need gates.”

Commissioner Maria Pena Graham shared that sentiment.

“To me, you want to be community-minded, but you’re excluding yourself from the community,” Pena Graham said.

Grainger said the plan could be open to changing the gate installation.

“It’s something that retirees like, if you look at the areas that are doing a great job of attracting retirees all through the south,” he said. “If you’ve ever traveled to Florida, they’re very, very common.”

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission provided a positive recommendation to members of the DeKalb City Council in a 4-0 vote. Vice Chair Bill McMahon and Commissioners Jerry Wright and Trixy O’Flaherty were absent.

City Planner Dan Olson said the petitioner’s plan has residents’ safety top of mind. City staff previously voiced their support of the plan in city documents.

“What they show was a security gate that would be locked all the time,” Olson said. “They want a security gate that’s aligned with police and fire. We’ve provided transponders so that they’ll have immediate access. We do have a few of those. … We’ll be able to get access right away. They’ll have to work that out with the city on a plan before a final plan is approved.”

Attached to the vote, Commissioners recommended that Grainger revise its plan slightly in order to remove gates which would surround the community.

The DeKalb City Council will have the final say on the developer’s request, expected during a March 11 meeting.

The 35 acres for the development are owned by the Bridges of Rivermist Home Owners Association, according to city documents.

This story was updated at 7:27 p.m. March 5, 2024 with additional comment from the city of DeKalb’s Planning and Zoning Commission meeting.