Plan to turn former lamp factory into apartments moves step closer to approval
The redevelopment of a former lamp factory building in St. Charles moved another step closer this week to getting final approval.
On Monday, the city council’s planning and development committee recommended approval of the final plat of subdivision for the project on the east side of downtown.
Petitioner Bob Rasmussen, representing the property owner Triple R-214, LLC, is seeking final plat approval for the redevelopment of the property at the northeast corner of 13th and Indiana avenues.
The 33,080-square-foot property at 1416 Indiana Ave. contains a two-story brick industrial building formerly known as the lamp factory.
Permits were issued last year, and work has commenced to convert the existing building into a 15-unit apartment building known as Indiana Place.
The building was constructed in 1904 for the Heinz Brothers Cut Glass Company. It was later used as a lamp factory and has been vacant for several years.
As approved, the Indiana Place development will remodel the building into 12 one-bedroom units and three two-bedroom units. The exterior dimensions of the building will not be altered.
In lieu of providing affordable units, the developer has paid a fee of $29,749 per city ordinance. Developers have also made contributions of $5,584 to St. Charles Unit District 303 and $64,545 to the St. Charles Park District instead of land donations required by city code.
Per a condition of the development’s already approved permitting, petitioners need a plat of subdivision approval for city-required easements before occupancy can commence.
As proposed, developers will add parking and an access drive on the north side of the building that will connect 13th and Indiana Avenues.
The St. Charles Plan Commission reviewed the proposed plat on April 2 and unanimously recommended approval.
Committee members recommended plat approval in a unanimous vote. The proposal is expected to go before the city council next week for final approval.