After five months of delays, the Glen Ellyn Village Board has unanimously approved an agreement to annex what will be three houses on about 2 acres in the Arboretum Estates East neighborhood and will pave the way for at least 25 other houses in the area to annex eventually.
Glen Ellyn Village President Greg Mathews has spent the last five months negotiating with homeowners in the unincorporated neighborhood over applications by Glen Ellyn-based developer Oak Builders to split three estate-sized lots into two each.
Mathews brokered a compromise with homeowners — many of whom had no interest in immediately annexing — that would involve creation of a new estate-sized zoning classification with minimum lot sizes of 1.15 acres that would preserve the neighborhood’s character.
Under the pact, the village also would build a water main to serve the 40 or so houses in the neighborhood, where homes currently have individual wells.
As part of the deal, Arboretum Estates East homeowners would not be required to annex until 2023, unless they wanted to immediately tap into the water main. In exchange, the village would agree not to approve any further lot splits that would not conform to the new zoning category. In addition, village trustees also would agree to approve only two of Oak Builders’ three applications for lot splits. On the third property, at 2S610 Arboretum Road, the Village Board would allow construction of one house.
One of Oak Builders’ three proposals, to demolish a house at 22W490 Ahlstrand Road and build two new ones, is on a lot contiguous to the village’s borders. That property will be annexed immediately. That would then allow the village to also annex a house next door at 22W480 Ahlstrand, which is under a separate pre-annexation agreement.
Attorney Kevin Gallaher, who represents the neighborhood’s homeowners association, said at least 27 homeowners had signed or have signaled their intent to sign the agreement that preserves their subdivision’s rural feel and that compels them to annex by 2023. Over the next 45 days, the village will initiate hearings to create the new zoning classification and approve the agreements with the residents.
