Planned Elmhurst Homes Seen As Too Dense

Elmhurst IL

14 June, 2022

7:52 AM

Description

ELMHURST, IL – A pair of Elmhurst aldermen on Monday appeared to have no problem with townhomes being built on a vacant site on Lake Street. But they expressed concerns the proposed development was too dense. The developer, meanwhile, said the project may not be worth it economically if the city required it to scale back. Elmhurst resident John Pembroke is proposing a 36-unit townhome development at 240 W. Lake St. The land has been vacant for years, once the site of a Ford auto body shop. Last month, a majority of the city's Zoning and Planning Commission found the development was too dense. An Elmhurst developer wants to build 36 townhomes on vacant land at 240 W. Lake St. in Elmhurst. (David Giuliani/Patch) On Monday, the City Council's zoning committee took up the issue. Because the commission denied the project, it would require a super-majority of the council to pass. "It's a beautiful concept," Alderman Mark Mulliner said. "It's just the density that we're all struggling with." He said he did not want to vote for a development that is denser than similar ones approved by the city. Alderwoman Dannee Polomsky, the committee's chairman, said it would be hard for the council to sign off on a plan that the commission rejected. She said there must be a way for the developer to re-examine the density issue. Polomsky also said no utilities are connected to the site. That is likely the reason that the site has been vacant for so long, she said. Pembroke, owner of Island Construction, disagreed the development would be too dense. And he said it wouldn't be viable if the city required him to give up six of the buildings. He said his development could "kick-start something great where there's nothing happening." "Many have looked at the property," he said. "I'm the only one who came up with something viable." One of the three committee members, Emily Bastedo, was absent. Mulliner said it was important that the committee hear from her before it decides. Polomsky agreed. The committee took no action.