Carpentersville gives feedback on 24-home development
The Carpentersville village board on Tuesday gave Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Fox Valley permission to create a preliminary plan to build 24 homes on a western fringe near town.
But there were a few minor issues trustees raised, ones they said they'll likely be able to work out.
The eventual project, if approved would go up on an 8.8 parcel on Binnie Road behind Woodman's Food Market. The property now lies in unincorporated Kane County and the village would need to annex the property into Carpentersville before construction began.
Habitat for Humanity would be building the homes for low- to moderate-income residents whom it would secure from the community before construction started. They would also learn the values of property maintenance, money management and giving back to the community.
“Part of the mission of Habitat for Humanity is we want people to own their house,” Tom McCabe, the project's engineer.
The houses would likely range in price from $207,000 to $210,000, depending on the market, said Bob Klaves, development director for Habitat for Humanity of the Northern Fox Valley.
The houses would range between 1,200 and 1,400 square feet and incorporate different housing design elements.
“The days of McMansions are over,” Trustee Pat Schultz said.
The project would mark the nonprofit's biggest housing venture to date, superseding a five-home development it built in Elgin.
Tuesday, officials from Habitat for Humanity presented partial plans to elicit feedback from trustees and staff.
Fire Chief John Schuldt, acting as village manager Tuesday, said fire fighters need a second entrance into the development in case of emergency.
“We are totally against a development this big ... with accessibility limitations,” he said, adding later that he was confident both parties could work something out.
Other trustees said the 55-foot lot size per home was too small.
Village President Ed Ritter would prefer to see something in the 70-foot range to give residents more space.