A proposed housing development oozing with Victorian style and grace while showcasing handicapped-accessible features was embraced by most Naperville City Council members Tuesday.
The council’s 7-2 vote approving the project, dubbed English Rows, was a stark departure from the Plan Commission’s decision last month that rejected the plan, with some commissioners calling the proposal “campy” in its design and with others citing traffic concerns.
Developer System 27 Corp. wants to build 60 Victorian-style town homes and three commercial lots on nearly 10 acres on the west side of Illinois Highway 59, just north of the Tamarack Golf Course. The council approved 56 town homes.
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Handicapped-accessible features include wide hallways; zero-height thresholds; elevators; grab-bar blocking in walls, which allows for installation of grab bars, in all units; garage ramps; oversized bathrooms; and pocket doors as needed for mobility.
Some council members raised concerns about storm-water management, increased traffic and the density of the project. Storm-water runoff would partially be stored on the Tamarack Golf Course property. And because the developer is proposing enhanced architectural elements and handicapped features, he is requesting a slightly higher density than allowed.
“I can’t support this, because the density is too high. It is the wrong project for in here. It will negatively impact the neighbors,” said Councilman Doug Krause.