The developer of a new subdivision planned for Naperville is taking important steps forward.
Pulte Homes is working on an annexation agreement with Naperville that would allow the developer to build 401 housing units on 110 acres of former polo grounds, the Naperville Sun reported. In addition to the housing, the development will also include a park and two multiuse playing fields.
The Naperville City Council provided feedback on the plans, which had concerned some residents about its impact on traffic in the area. Pulte and the council ultimately decided to add a gate to one of the streets to discourage cut-throughs with plans to monitor the situation.
In addition, Pulte will also pay for the $500,000 first phase of the engineering study for long-term improvements. Previously, Pulte had proposed paying just $300,000 for the study with the city covering the remaining costs, but the council ultimately decided Pulte should foot the entire bill.
The council also agreed that Pulte could be granted certain liberties with codes — such as one requiring 50 percent of the facade be brick — if the developer markets some of the units at below market rates. In an effort to increase affordable housing in Naperville, which has often garnered criticism for not having enough, Pulte promised to sell 20 percent of the homes at 80-100 percent of the suburb’s area median income. At that rate, the “below-market” units won’t meet federal affordable housing standards, but they will “diversify” the city’s housing stock, the council decided.
Before Naperville can consider an annexation agreement with Pulte, the city needs to secure a new boundary pact with neighboring Plainfield, as its most recent one expired in February 2017. Naperville Mayor Steve Chirico and City Manager Doug Krieger said they have spoken with the neighboring village’s officials and they have indicated that they would support the annexation.
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— Victoria Pruitt