The Glen, a large residential development that was to be built in Elgin 17 years ago, has come back to life with the help of a new builder.
Moda Homes is partnering with Lennar Homes to build the first phase of a project that calls for 83 single-family homes, 54 age-restricted homes, a 150-unit senior assisted living facility and a neighborhood park on 73 acres off Nolan Road, according to plans presented to the Elgin Planning and Zoning Commission.
The unincorporated property was zoned in the early 2000s for a subdivision. Moda Homes is requesting the site be annexed into the city and a preliminary plat for the project be approved, both of which are now headed to the Elgin City Council for approval.
Phase I would consist of building the single-family homes and constructing a 2.3-acre neighborhood park and an extension to a nearby bike/walking trail.
“The layout is the same as it was in 2007,” Elgin senior planner Damir Latinovic said at the commission meeting earlier this month.
Homes will range in size from about 2,200 to 2,800 square feet and will feature two- or three-car garages and an optional basement and front porch. Lennar will offer different home styles, similar to those found in the Tall Oaks subdivision in Elgin.
“It’s very exciting to have Lennar as part of the project. They’re a great homebuilder,” Troy Mertz, Moda Homes CEO, said at the meeting.
When complete, The Glen subdivision will offer a range of multi-generational housing products. Mertz said he recognizes the need for assisted living facilities and sees the benefits of having different types of housing products in one area for families and their older loved ones.
“I’m excited for the future potential of that property,” he said.
Located just south of Bowes Road, the property is currently vacant and some of it consists of wetlands.
A few neighbors raised concerns at the meeting about how the development would affect stormwater drainage, but Latinovic said planned detention facilities would handle the runoff. The Glen’s homeowners association would be responsible for maintaining the detention areas, but the city could approve a Special Services Assessment tax for the property if more mitigation work needs to be done, he said.
A 280-foot-wide Canadian National rail right-of-way and a proposed solar farm site are nearby, Latinovic said.
Elgin council members must approve the annexation agreement and the preliminary plans before construction can begin. A meeting date at which the project will reviewed has not been set.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.
