Elburn hires director of development

Hinckley native Erin Willrett will become Elburn's first community development director at the beginning of 2008.

Currently a transportation planner with the Kane County Division of Transportation, Willrett said that she is looking forward to uniting Elburn's old-fashioned charm with its recent and planned growth.

"I'd like to make sure that Elburn's historic downtown remains connected to its new developments," Willrett explained at a village board meeting Monday night. "As the village develops, it still wants to maintain its character."

At the county, Willrett has primarily worked on regional planning.

"That will help me in looking at the community as a whole, and paying attention to what is happening in surrounding areas," she said.

Willrett, who lives in Sycamore, believes that growing up in the area is an advantage.

"It aids me in having a feel for the community," she said.

Elburn Village Administrator David Morrison said that Willrett will provide needed continuity to the village.

"We have been working with a very minimal staff and with large projects we've had to rely on outside consultants to be our guardians. With someone in house, they can watch out for Elburn in the long term," Morrison said.

Elburn has two major residential and commercial projects planned.

Kirk Homes plans a 358-acre mixed-use development on the north and south sides of Route 38, just west of Route 47. Sho-Deen development will work on 439 acres, most of which surrounds Elburn's Metra station.