Politics & Government
Elmhurst Sells Land To Housing Developer
Officials praise the plan to build a six-story apartment complex downtown.
ELMHURST, IL – Elmhurst aldermen on Monday approved the sale of a downtown lot to a developer.
The land at 108 Haven Road is the last piece of the puzzle to make a 200-unit, six-story apartment complex a reality. It is set for the northwest corner of Haven and First Street.
In January, the City Council approved the plan for the building. The city is selling the lot in question for $535,000. It has been used as a parking lot.
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Ward 3 Alderwoman Dannee Polomsky said the city's sale reflects the goal of developing land for the "highest and best use."
"The existing use of a surface parking lot is not the highest and best use," she said. "This project reflects the intent of the downtown plan, projects the voices of neighbors, highlights the responsiveness of the developer and will introduce the city's stricter construction management standards."
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Last year, when Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies proposed the project, residents in townhomes on Haven objected to its density and height.
In response, changes were made to move the bulk of the building away from Haven, add more landscaping and upgrade building materials.
Ward 4 Alderman Noel Talluto, who represents the area in question, said the project was good for Elmhurst.
"It continues to enhance the vitality of and hope for our community, especially for downtown and City Centre," Talluto said.
She said it will increase the city's property tax base. That means the costs of government will be spread among more people.
"I think the final project really is a better project than what we first were presented," Talluto said. "I think that it responded to many of the concerns of not only close neighbors to the project, but to residents of the city even farther afield."
She also said she liked how the plan contemplated ride-share and delivery truck traffic, which is increasing downtown. She said the project would not add to stormwater.
The City Council voted unanimously for selling 108 Haven Road. Aldermen Jacob Hill and Bob Dunn were absent.
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