Politics & Government

Setback For Planned Elmhurst Townhome Project

A key panel recommends the city deny the project, saying it's too dense.

John Pembroke, owner of Island Construction and an Elmhurst resident, speaks to an Elmhurst City Council committee in 2021 about his proposed townhome project.
John Pembroke, owner of Island Construction and an Elmhurst resident, speaks to an Elmhurst City Council committee in 2021 about his proposed townhome project. (David Giuliani/Patch)

ELMHURST, IL – A key Elmhurst committee has recommended the city reject a planned 36-unit townhome complex on Lake Street.

Elmhurst resident John Pembroke is proposing a 36-unit townhome development at 240 W. Lake St. That land has been vacant for years, once the site of a Ford auto body shop.

Last month, a majority of the city's Zoning and Planning Commission found that the development was too dense.

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The commission expressed concern the development may be an "island" disconnected from the neighborhood.

It also said that if the complex was less dense, the addition of park-like open space would provide a transition to the neighborhood to the south.

Find out what's happening in Elmhurstfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The commission voted 4-2 against zoning for the project. Members Susan Rose, Carol Snyder, Lisa Callaway and Susan McCoyd voted against it. Kevin Byrnes and Dave Garland were for it. Mark Hoffman, Melissa Pittman and Michael Scarsella were absent.

On Monday, the matter is going before the City Council's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee. The full council gets the final say.

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