Uniquely slim-styled housing might come to St. Charles

A St. Charles street known for its ranch-style homes may soon become the locale for seven single-family homes designed differently than any other in the city.

Schaumburg-based David Weekley Homes wants to build the seven homes on a one-acre lot at 895 Geneva Road. The corner lot is bounded by Geneva Road, Mosedale Street and Keller Place. It was once the location of a doctor's office but has stood vacant since 2005.

Dan Venard of David Weekley Homes pitched the project as a way to bring new housing close to the city's downtown. He also believes the design of the homes would attract a unique set of owners. The design calls for homes offering up to 2,500 square feet of space in structures that will be more narrow, and appear more vertical, than most any home in the city.

Venard said the design helps maximize the use of the diamond-shaped lot while providing a house type that is popular in other areas of the country. Aldermen weren't so sure the design fits in with St. Charles' character, particularly for the neighbors on Mosedale Street.

"I don't know what to think of it," Alderman Maureen Lewis said. "It's something we haven't seen here in St. Charles. You say it's popular, but I haven't seen any housing like that."

Lewis and Alderman Jo Krieger said the proposal tries to jam too many homes onto the relatively small lot.

"I don't like it," Krieger said. "I would much rather see about five homes."

The density isn't necessarily a deal-breaker. Aldermen seemed to like the idea of the vacant land being used. They recognized a unique approach may be needed to make any development viable at the site.

"I'm neither opposed, nor gung-ho," Alderman Steve Gaugel said. "There is nothing telling me this is something we shouldn't do."

The presentation was only a concept provided to aldermen for feedback. David Weekley Homes has the option of tweaking the design before seeing a formal vote from the full city council.