A proposal envisioned as a catalyst for growth in Winfield that would transform 30 acres of open land into a complex of condominiums, townhouses and commercial space was unveiled at the village’s Plan Commission meeting Wednesday night.
The land, owned by West Chicago High School District 94, is under contract to be sold to developer David Russo under terms that include, among other things, annexation into the Village of Winfield and limitation on housing types and the number of bedrooms.
The site is about a half-mile west of downtown Winfield on Highlake Road. Russo sees the 300-unit development as one that will jumpstart the village’s fledgling Town Center redevelopment program.
“It will be a catalyst by adding rooftops to what they already have,” he said, referring to his recently completed multistory Lee Station condo complex.
Russo told the Plan Commission the proposed Highlake planned unit development would have 240 two-bedroom and three-bedroom townhouses and condominiums priced between $250,000 and $300,000. He called it a “move up” community that will appeal primarily to empty nesters.
Once completed, Russo estimates the project would generate $2 million annually for various taxing bodies, including $770,000 to Winfield Elementary School District 34 and $500,000 to District 94.
West Chicago District 94 clamped down on the number of units to better control the number of students it would bring into its high school. The area falls into the Winfield elementary school district, but because the development is targeted to empty nesters it would add few students, he said.
District 94 has held the property since 1968 with the idea of possibly building school facilities, such as athletic fields, on it. After deciding against using it for district purposes, the school board accepted Russo’s bid of $7.525 million for the land in July.
To build the complex he envisions, Russo asked the Plan Commission to create a new class of zoning to accommodate both the commercial and the multifamily residential elements of his plan.
Neighbors expressed few objections to the proposed development. “We want this project, not necessarily this density though,” exclaimed resident John Norman, representing High Lake and High Lake II Condominium Associations. “Open land has value too.”
Russo said that, if the proposal is approved, he would like to break ground early next summer. It would take three to four years to complete, he added.
