Final step approved for luxury duplexes in downtown St. Charles
Final plat approval for the luxury River 504 Rowhomes development in St. Charles came without any pomp.
No one voiced their opinions before the city council voted 5-3 this week to approve the final plat.
The vote continues the city’s decade-long trend of reshaping the town’s downtown area along the Fox River.
The project, which includes four buildings, each with four stories, served as a flashpoint, highlighting concerns several aldermen and community members share. Chief among those concerns was the affordability of the units. Each unit will be priced at $1.9 million.
The rooftop terraced units will be located at the northeast corner of South First Street and Prairie Street. It will occupy the last remaining vacant lot of the Brownstone planned unit development on South First Street downtown.
As the plans have gone through the city approval process, skeptical aldermen also questioned the developer’s plans to remove several mature trees along the riverfront, how close the building will be to the street, and the removal of commercial units from the development.
Aldermen Ronald Silkatis, David Pietryla and Bryan Wirball voted against the final plat.
The confirming five approval votes came from Mark Foulkes, Jayme Muenz, Vicki Spellman, Ed Bessner and Steve Weber.
Aldermen Ryan Bongard and Bob Gehm did not attend the meeting.
St. Charles developer J&B Builders Inc. will build an eight-unit duplex development. At a previous city meeting, representatives for the developers attempted to assuage affordability concerns.
“It is out of the price range for most individuals that inquire, but there’s a handful that have showed interest,” J&B representative Brian Buoy said during a September planning and development committee meeting.
The developers intend to pay a $14,687 fee instead of providing affordable units.
Over recent years, new property developments have driven an influx of buyers moving into the St. Charles area.
Concerns of affordability have been raised in past city meetings.
The eight-unit duplex development will have two-car garages and patios. The duplexes are designed to face First Street. Each unit is drawn up to a total of 6,226 square feet.
Construction is anticipated to begin on the north side of the site. The developers previously said they intend to begin construction on the first two units later this year.