Elgin OKs YMCA project despite sluggish market
The old Channing YMCA property in Elgin won't remain vacant for long.
City council members on Wednesday voted 5-2 in favor of a housing development on the 2.9-acre site, despite concerns about density and the slow housing market.
Under the terms of the agreement, developer Aspen Homebuilders will put up 13 homes on the property in exchange for an incentive package from the city worth more than $2 million.
City officials have said the incentives are necessary because the development is in a historic district, where property values are lower and construction costs higher.
"I think it's an outstanding project," council member Mike Powers said. "It's the single-largest investment I can recall in the neighborhood in half a century."
The plan -- which used to call for 14 homes -- failed to receive the backing of the city's planning commission this year, in part because of density and parking issues.
In response, city officials reduced the number of homes from 14 to 13, moved them farther from the street, increased parking and added $110,000 in incentives.
Even so, the development doesn't entirely comply with city code -- which Mayor Ed Schock said is to be expected given the development lies within a historic district.
"We want to maintain the historic character," Schock said. "You can't do that and apply far-Western suburb regulations."
Schock also responded to opponents of the project who have said city officials pushed ahead with the plans despite neighbors' concerns.
"This project has had neighborhood input for 24 months," he said. "The world is made from compromise. This project is as good as I've seen. I gladly and wholeheartedly support it."
Council members Dave Kaptain and Juan Figueroa voted against the project.
Kaptain said city officials should delay the plan during the housing downturn and use the time to fix issues related to parking and storm water management.
"When every other homebuilder in the area is backing away ... we're walking in," Kaptain said of the housing market. "A delay would allow us time to fix some of the shortcomings."