At last, an identity for East Bank area

After years of uncertainty, Algonquin leaders now have a clear vision of what they want to see along the east bank of the Fox River near Algonquin Road.

Assistant Village Manager Jeff Mihelich presented village board members Tuesday night the land-use opportunity plan for the area known as the East Bank neighborhood. The area is bounded by the east bank of the Fox River along River Road from Ridge Street south of Route 62 and north to village limits.

In recent years, the village has received several petitions from developers but none were approved because village leaders did not have a good idea for the neighborhood's identity, Mihelich said.

"The primary purpose of the plan was to come up with a vision for the neighborhood and to create ideas for what the village would like to see in the area," Mihelich said. "We took several concepts that had come before us and put those into the plan."

The plan identifies the area's numerous challenges and opportunities, such as poor traffic circulation, lack of public access to the Fox River and sparse housing density.

Among the plan's recommendations are the extension of Short Street from Highland Avenue to North River Road, as well as the extension of the Highland Avenue bike trail.

Mihelich said the extension of Short Street would reduce the congestion at North River and Algonquin roads, while also providing residents of Hubbard Street an alternative route to exit or enter the subdivision.

Most importantly, though, Mihelich said the extension would allow motorists using North River Road or Hubbard Street to access the existing traffic signal at the Algonquin Road and Eastgate Drive intersection, reducing congestion and the likelihood of accidents.

The plan also recommends residential and commercial development in the area, including multistory buildings with retail on the first floor and office space or condominiums on the upper floors.

Village President John Schmitt said the plan lays a foundation for what the village desires in the area.

"Instead of relying on guess work for each individual project, we developed a concept plan so that if developer comes in, then we can present them with a plan," Schmitt said. "We want to make sure development is keeping with the size and type of architecture, as well as maintaining natural beauty with the hills and the bluffs and trees that are there."