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Geneva council rejects duplex plan

The Geneva City Council Monday rejected a plan to build duplexes on the site of the former Geneva Greenhouse on Western Avenue.

Aldermen voted 6-4 against amending the city's comprehensive land-use map to allow single-family attached housing on the 7 acres. They then voted 7-3 against rezoning the site, and 7-3 against the subdivision plan proposed by K. Hovnanian Homes.

Residents argued both sides Monday, as the council considered whether to let K. Hovnanian Homes build a 32-unit attached-home development called Geneva Meadows.

K. Hovnanian Homes wanted to build 16 duplexes.

It intended to market them to "mature adult empty-nesters," at an average price of $450,000, according to a presentation by the developer.

The land is designated as R-1, which is for single-family detached houses on lots a little under one-third of an acre or larger. Most of the neighborhood around it is so designated.

The developer asked for R-6 zoning, which allows attached single-family housing on lots as small as 8/100ths of an acre.

Changes since August

Aldermen voted 9-1 at a committee meeting in August against changing the land-use designation on the city's comprehensive plan. They were due to take a binding vote in September, but postponed that at the developer's request.

Monday night, nearby residents again said the subdivision would not fit the character of the area. Several also repeated concerns that the buildings would exacerbate drainage problems.

In August, aldermen were also concerned that, since this is not a planned-unit development, a builder could build as many as 48 units without having to come back to the city for approval.

The developer was willing to add a covenant to the subdivision plans that would prohibit building more than two units per lot.

Several senior citizens spoke in favor. They said it is difficult to find low-maintenance housing, with first-floor master bedrooms, in Geneva.

"We're through with maintenance, we need a low-maintenance place," said Lorraine Ochsner. "It is very hard to find in Geneva. The right location seems to be in a cornfield, somewhere out near Elburn, and we would like to stay in Geneva."

Neighbors speak against proposed Geneva duplex plan

Geneva alderman oppose proposed duplex plan

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