Plainfield plan update may mean higher-density housing
By Madhu S. Mayer Correspondent November 27, 2012 9:48AM
Updated: December 29, 2012 6:16AM
Since the real estate market is not the same as what it was 10 years ago, the village of Plainfield is keeping up with the changing demographics by updating its comprehensive plan.
Whether this will lead to houses built on smaller lots and more multifamily residential projects remains to be seen.
An update to the plan was reviewed Monday during the joint workshop between the village board and plan commission. The commission makes recommendations to the board.
The current comprehensive plan was adopted by the village board in 2002.
Since last year, a committee has been working on an update. The document reflects many of the changes that the village and the region have experienced over the last decade, village planner Michael Garrigan said.
“Over the next several decades,” he said, “Plainfield will continue to be predominantly a community of single-family homes, but these homes may be made up of smaller households and increasing diversity.
“Perhaps the most remarkable change will be the projected decrease in the rate of growth and the projected population of 62,000 people by 2030.”
Garrigan said the much of the updated plan will focus on how the village will accommodate those additional 22,000 people, if projections are correct.
To reach the 62,000 figure by 2030, the village will need to average 400 new family units per year, said Trustee Bill Lamb, chairman of the plan committee. The village is averaging less than 100 family units annually.
Much of the discussion focused on the proposed Vista Pointe development, which is at the corner of Ridge and Wheeler roads. Garrigan said the developer wants to build up to 1,207 units with lot sizes ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 square feet. Multifamily homes within the plan would be along Ridge and County Line roads, he said.
“The challenge with respect to this plan is balancing future market and demographic changes with the village’s historical desire for larger lot sizes,” he added.
Additionally, Garrigan said the applicant wants to create four neighborhood parks along with a 15-acre school site in the middle of the development, which also proposes 216 apartment units, 104 townhomes and 20 duplexes.
As an employee of Plainfield School District, Trustee Margie Bonuchi was apprehensive about the potential of adding 800 to 900 new students.
Trustee Dan Rippy said the concept plan reminds him of Lakewood Falls development in Romeoville.
“I think we can do better,” he said.
