advertisement

Rezoned land ready for townhouses in Naperville

A cornfield on Route 59 in Naperville will be replaced by 138 townhouses instead of stores after the city council rezoned the land for residential use.

Council members last week voted 6-1 to rezone the 17-acre parcel near Ogden Avenue and 75th Street and approve preliminary plans for M/I Homes to build the second phase of the Mayfair subdivision.

The approval overruled a planning and zoning commission denial of the rezoning request as well as complaints from a few residents of the established Mayfair subdivision and requests from nearby property owners to keep the land designated for commercial development.

Council members said they think the property would be better used for residential purposes because of its physical challenges and nearby uses, despite being listed as commercial in the city’s master plan.

“The plan commission is more restricted in some of the factors it can consider, namely the existence of a master plan,” Councilman Bob Fieseler said. “The council can decide whether that master plan makes sense or not.”

Council member Doug Krause was the only one to vote against the zoning change and approval for the new townhouse development. Grant Wehrli was absent.

The site has only two thin strips of frontage on Route 59 and none on Ogden Avenue or 75th Street, while most of it is hidden behind a Penny Mustard furniture store on Route 59 and a Pep Boys and a cabinet shop on Ogden. Other available property in the area is divided among at least three owners, which makes commercial development a challenge, according to a city staff analysis.

The $40 million second phase of the Mayfair development includes 138 townhouses to be built west of the original Mayfair subdivision.

Naperville considers housing on commercial site

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.