Elgin tweaks Channing YMCA plan

Neighbors who oppose a proposed housing project on the site of the old Channing YMCA probably won't get everything they want.

But Elgin officials say they have modified the plans to better meet the demands of residents.

Developer Aspen Homebuilders had planned to build 14 houses and a small, corner park on the nearly 3-acre site, which is in an Elgin historic district.

The development would include single-family homes, designed to fit in with the existing houses in the historic district, with prices ranging from $275,000 to $325,000.

In exchange for building in the historic district -- where property values wouldn't typically allow for the use of upgraded building materials -- the city would have paid the developer more than $2 million in incentives, including the costs of buying and cleaning up the land.

Now, city officials say, they plan to eliminate one of the 14 houses, and increase the incentive by $110,000.

As a result, the developer will be able to add more parking spaces and move the new houses further from the road -- bringing them more in line with other homes in the area, city officials said.

"I think it reflects the city's desire to respond to the majority of neighbors' concerns," Assistant City Manager Sean Stegall said. "Thirteen homes is a better project. It just happens to be a more expensive project."

The city's planning commission earlier this month voted 2-2 on the original, 14-house proposal.

The new plan won't go back to the commission, however. Instead, city council members are expected to take a formal vote on the project Wednesday, Stegall said.

The council already approved concept plans for the development in July.