St. Charles committee reviews plans for townhome development on Route 31

St. Charles Planning and Development Committee members at their May 13 meeting heard a presentation for preliminary concept plans to develop a townhome complex called The Grove on Route 31 on the city’s north side.

As proposed, The Grove would be a 21-unit townhome complex consisting of six three-story buildings around a private drive on the vacant 2.5-acre parcel at 5N024 Route 31.

Local real estate developer Frontier Development submitted the preliminary concept plans. Frontier principal Curtis Hurst presented the plans before the committee, as well as at the Plan Commission meeting May 7 in which commission members heard testimony from more than a dozen residents against the development.

Residents and committee members are not sure the proposed development fits the surrounding area and have concerns about stormwater issues, building height, density and traffic.

The parcel is located on the west side of Route 31, north of Abbeywood Drive and south of White Bridge Drive. The lot has been vacant since 2002 when the previous buildings on the property were demolished. It has been unmanaged for several years and is now wooded.

Plans call for 14 three-bedroom units and seven two-bedroom units that are to be owner-occupied. Hurst said prices likely will range from the mid $400,000s to low $500,000s.

The property is zoned for single-family residential, but petitioners are seeking rezoning to medium density housing to allow for the development of townhome units. The property would require stormwater management, wetland and traffic studies and significant utility work to bring water and electricity to the site.

At the Planning and Development Committee meeting, one resident spoke, raising concerns about drainage, density, wildlife and traffic problems on Route 31.

Committee members were hesitant to support the project because of its density compared with surrounding neighborhoods, the height of the buildings, stormwater and noise concerns. Multiple members said that while they like the style, they don’t believe the location is right for the development.

Plans are still in concept stages and will be brought back for further consideration at future meetings.