Sugar Grove has a new development director

The former director of land acquisitions and entitlements for Kimball Hill, a struggling Rolling Meadows-based home builder, is the new community development director for Sugar Grove.

Rich Young, 52, began work this week heading the village's department of development at an annual salary of $88,640.

Young worked for Kimball Hill for six years and was instrumental in bringing Settlers Ridge to the village. He also lives in Settlers Ridge, where only about 100 homes have been sold in the proposed 2,400-home development.

"I know both sides of the fence," said Young, 52, referring to his experience as a planner and with a homebuilder. "It's a good fit for me personally. Taking this position is a big plus."

Young previously worked as the community development director for Carol Stream and worked in planning outside of Illinois. He said he has 14 years of experience in municipal planning and 14 years of experience in homebuilding. He studied planning at Central Michigan University.

Young begins work in Sugar Grove, a village with a focus on growth, in a declining housing market. His former employer Kimball Hill is just one example. Once a top homebuilder in the Chicago area, the company is now cutting jobs and selling properties in attempts to avoid bankruptcy.

"One of the things I will focus on will be our corporate residents," Young said. "I'll be working closely with EDC (the Sugar Grove Economic Development Corporation). They want to attract more development, but it's important to see that the existing residents are happy. We need to know what their concerns are."

Young is well known to village officials.

"We're very excited about having Rich," said Village President Sean Michels. "He negotiated and brought in Settlers Ridge and now he lives there. His professionalism and administrative abilities are a good fit. He has a lot of experience and enthusiasm that will put us in the lead in planning."

Young is married and the father of two adult children. He and his wife raised their children in Wheaton, where they lived for 20 years. They have lived in Settlers Ridge for a year and a half.

Young succeeds Scott Buening, who left to take the same job in North Aurora.