Elmhurst Neighbors Divided On Townhome Complex

ELMHURST, IL – Residents in an Elmhurst neighborhood are split over a proposed townhome development near their homes.

A couple supporting the plan say they like the developer's previous work, while others contend the townhomes will hurt the neighborhood's suburban feel.

Island Construction plans 13 townhomes for the northeast and northwest corners of West Avenue and Third Street.

At 7 p.m. Monday, the City Council's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee plans to review the proposal in the council's chambers at City Hall.

Last year, Frank and Caroline Gerardi bought a house at the northwest corner of Third Street and Oaklawn Avenue, which is next to the proposed townhomes. They plan to tear down the house and build a new one.

In a letter this week to the zoning office, they said they got city documents about the proposal and spoke with Island Construction's owner, John Pembroke, because of their concerns.

They also said they researched Pembroke's other projects, some of which are in Elmhurst.

"We are impressed with the quality of his work," the couple said.

They said they supported his plan.

Their next-door neighbors, Dave and TJ Pleva, are opposed.

"We bought this property for the suburban neighborhood feel and not the urban feel that building these townhomes would change it into," the Plevas said in a letter last week to the city. "We wanted space between our house and our neighbors and by building these town homes it would no longer give it the open space feel."

They said traffic would increase and the townhomes would block sunlight.

Island Construction said it met with neighbors, but the Plevas said they and their neighbors with whom they spoke knew nothing about the gathering.

"Our neighbors have worked very hard to be able to live in an upscale community, and we should not have our properties devalued by building close-packed housing," the Plevas said.

Patch reported on the comments of other residents in a previous story. The developer responded.