Warrenville delays hearing on mixed-use proposal
A public hearing for a proposed mixed-use development in Warrenville was delayed Thursday night to give the developer time to make revisions to the plan.
Neighbors, meanwhile, say they will oppose the project when the hearing resumes next month.
The city's plan commission is reviewing a proposal from M/I Homes of Chicago LLC to develop nearly 33 acres on the east side of Route 59 at Duke Parkway.
If the plan is approved, M/I Homes will build 92 townhouses on the property and set aside roughly 4 acres for commercial development. Atlantic Realty Partners, which is partnering with M/I Homes, would build a 259-unit apartment complex.
Last month, the city's plan commission started a public hearing that was scheduled to resume on Thursday. But the hearing was postponed to June 21 at the developer's request.
Ronald Mentzer, Warrenville's director of community and economic development, said M/I Homes sought the continuance so it could address numerous questions and comments from city staff.
"There were, in some cases, pretty substantial revisions that were requested by staff as a follow-up to the initial public hearing," Mentzer said. "They are working through that process. It's going to take them a bit to finalize all those revisions."
More than 50 people attended Thursday night's plan commission meeting. Almost all of them left when the public hearing was postponed.
Resident George Wundsam stayed until the end of the meeting to speak during the "citizens' comments" part of the agenda.
He said he and other neighbors have a growing list of concerns about M/I Homes' proposal.
"That's why there were so many people here tonight," said Wundsam, adding that there's concerns about wetlands, drainage, stormwater and noise pollution.
As part of the plan, the 92 townhouses would be in 17 buildings. The apartments would be in seven three-story buildings on roughly 11 acres. The site also would include detached garages, surface parking and a 7,000-square-foot clubhouse.
Neighbors have said the project is too dense for the property, which is next to a residential neighborhood with large wooded lots. Wundsam said he believes the development would change the charm and beauty of the area.