Elmhurst OKs Townhomes; Neighbor Speaks Out

ELMHURST, IL – The Elmhurst City Council approved a townhome development Monday, although one neighbor said too many units would be on one lot.

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

Over the last couple of months, neighbors took both sides.

At Monday's council meeting, resident Cory Christmas, who lives next door to the lot with five proposed townhomes, opposed the project.

"I just made a pretty large capital investment in my backyard, and now I'm being told there are going to be five townhomes with recessed balconies that are going to be looking into my backyard," said Christmas, who purchased his house a couple of years ago. "I didn't buy this home thinking there would be an imposition on me."

He said five townhomes on a small lot is too much, suggesting three would be better.

"Obviously, as a homeowner here in Elmhurst, we expect there's going to be a level of privacy and comfort," said Christmas, who also turned in written comments. "I expect that privacy and comfort to be maintained by the City Council."

Alderman Rex Irby said he was for the townhomes at first, but found the exceptions for things such as density were excessive.

The council's vote was 13-1 in favor, with Irby as the lone dissenter.

The developer said the project would address the need for affordable housing in Elmhurst.