A look at developments, growth planned in Elburn

Today's opening of the Elburn Metra station coupled with the hundreds of undeveloped acres within the village have made growth a key word among village officials and residents alike. Village Administrator David Morrison's recent presentation to the Elburn Planning Commission of commercial and residential projects being considered by the village provided a snapshot of what a future Elburn might look like.

Residential

Aside from the ever-growing Blackberry Creek and Williams Ridge subdivisions, village officials also are considering these residential development possibilities: Kirk Homes: Recently granted concept approval by the planning commission and village board, Kirk Homes is now working on preliminary plans for its development of 358 acres on the north and south sides of Route 38 just west of Route 47, tentatively named Welch Fields. Plans call for 514 single-family homes, 50 duplexes, 234 townhouses, 30 acres for commercial development and 130 acres of open space.

If plans for Welch Fields eventually receive final approval from the village, Kirk has agreed to help Elburn resolve some of its pressing storm water retention and waste water treatment issues, even outside of the development area. Kensington Homes: Last fall, officials from Kensington Homes held a pre-annexation conference with Elburn's village board regarding the possibility of building a 60-acre residential development on Hughes Road, just south of the Blackberry Creek Subdivision. Meadows Phase II Senior Condominiums: After several delays in the approval process, developer Dan Nagle was granted preliminary approval on his plan to build an affordable-housing development for adults age 55 and over last fall.

Located on Dempsey Drive, the proposed three-story building would have 21 one-bedroom units and 40 two-bedroom units. The Meadows Phase II would also be next to the Meadows Apartments, rental units that also are restricted to adults 55 and older. Elburn Partnership: A group of developers is considering the development of 125 acres on Route 38 at Bowgren Drive and 137 acres on the west side of Route 47, south of Hughes Road. Transit-Oriented Development: Sho-Deen already owns approximately 250 acres, which lies between property owned by Terry Grove and his Grove-Elburn Partnership: 264 acres on the north side of Keslinger Road bordering the Elburn Metra station and the 175 acres on the north side of Route 38. Therefore, it makes sense that Sho-Deen would enter into a contract with Grove to create a transit-oriented development around the Metra property. "It makes it easier to run utilities from all three parcels," Morrison said. Sho-Deen is the fourth developer to work with Elburn officials on a transit-oriented development, which traditionally has a center with a rail station surrounded by relatively high-density development with lower-density development spreading outward.

Commercial

In addition to residential property, Elburn also is being considered as the site of several commercial developments including; An Elburn Jewel-Osco: An indication that a Jewel-Osco is on its way to the southwest corner of routes 38 and 47: it now has a store number, 3347. "Activity is really picking up, and we are legitimately moving forward," Morrison said. Last fall, representatives from Jewel-Osco's parent company, Albertson's, told village leaders they plan to begin construction of the 57,560-square-foot store in the spring and hope to open by the fall. Prairie Valley North: The commercial development on the northeast corner of routes 38 and 47 is close to receiving building permits from the village. George Maniates, of National Shopping Plaza, the developer of the property, said three buildings will be constructed on the site. They might house several retail stores, a restaurant and possibly a Walgreens. The drugstore chain is currently paying rent to secure the site but has no definite plans to open a store at this time. Route 47 and Keslinger Road: Four buildings of retail space and a possible bank site are being considered on the northwest corner. "A couple of the businesses locked up are very good, and people will be excited to see them come here," Morrison said. He added this project is still in the early stages, and it will be several months before it comes before the planning commission. Patten Industries: A Caterpillar dealer, which now occupies nine acres at 1001 S. Main St., is considering expanding the facility to the south this summer. Although it may look as though Elburn is about to be inundated with both commercial and residential development, Morrison points out that many of the concept plans for these projects have just been presented to the village, and some may not actually come to fruition. "Many developers contact Elburn about developing property," he explained. "Most don't stay."