Huntley Village Board shares a positive outlook for the proposed mixed-use development site plan project

HUNTLEY—At the Aug. 24 Village Board meeting, petitioner Henry Patel, owner of Huntley’s Hampton Inn, came before trustees to present conceptual plans for the development of his remaining 29 acres of Huntley Crossings Phase I, generally located at the southeast corner of Route 47 and Powers Road.

According to the Aug. 24 Board meeting agenda packet, Patel intends to develop 20.7 acres of the site with 304 units of multi-family apartments. Additionally, the development would include 6 acres of commercial use and have 2.3 acres dedicated for the construction of another hotel.

The multi-family portion of Patel’s project is anticipated to begin construction first and would consist of 12 buildings in total. The proposed apartment buildings would include eight two-story structures and four three-story structures. 

Director of Development Services Charlie Nordman told trustees that the amenities for the apartments are proposed to include a clubhouse with a pool, garage parking, a dog park, and a network of walking paths through park-like spaces.

The hotel near the southern end of the property is expected to begin construction within three to five years, according to Nordman. The commercial buildings along the west side of the property will be built when they are 60% pre-leased.

Following the presentation of the conceptual plans, Rich Olsen, a representative for Gary R. Weber Associates, Inc., a land planning and landscape architectural firm, addressed the board.

“We originally came in with a plan and worked extensively with [village] staff to revise that plan and they felt that there were several things that were important. That was the transition of land use around [Route] 47 through the commercial to the residential and how the buildings themselves related to the open space, and in the architecture of what we’re proposing,” he said.

Trustee John Piwko was the first to express his approval of the design of the apartment buildings, while also adding that he was glad the petitioners removed an extra building initially included in the plans.

“At first glance, I thought you were putting a lot, you know one pound bag, but it works. It actually works. I like the green space that you created. The buffer from [Route] 47 restaurants and businesses up front, then you scale it to the commercial and another hotel,” Trustee JR Westberg told the petitioners. “I mean that one rendering, you really don’t even know what’s back there until you drive back there. I thought that was genius. Good job.”

Trustee Mary Holzkopf made favorable remarks about the amenities that would be included for the apartments, however, she agreed with a comment Westberg made about the buildings’ appearance looking too modern. She stated that something about the design looked “off” to her, although she couldn’t elaborate as to why that was the case. 

After Patel told the board that he was thinking of charging $1,700 a month for a one-bedroom apartment in response to Holzkopf’s question on rent, she asked if it was possible to make a portion of the apartments more affordable for individuals because “[That cost is] a mortgage for a lot of people.”

Another petitioner jumped in to say that although an exact number wasn’t known, there would be some studio apartments available that would be less costly.

Trustee Ric Zydorowicz followed next, echoing the same positivity towards the conceptual plans as the rest of the trustees who spoke before him. His only other comment was in regards to the color scheme of the buildings to which he stated that that was probably the design issue Holzkopf had. Otherwise, Zydorowicz stated that he loved the architecture and the modern look. 

Trustee Ronda Goldman was the last on the board to speak, explaining to the petitioners in attendance that she was looking at the project from a different lens.

Goldman expressed concerns about the congestion that the project could potentially cause because of how heavy the traffic can get in that area. She also added that she was not in agreeance with the hotel aspect of the plan, but wouldn’t comment further on that since it was too far down the line before construction begins on that portion of the project.

Other than that, Goldman was happy with the concept of the apartments.

“I think what makes it work and what makes it kind of exciting is the commercial that you’ve got in front that I don’t think anybody’s mentioned yet, and with it being a mixed-use, that’s a huge positive for us,” said Mayor Tim Hoeft as a final message to the petitioners. “I like the design. I like the color scheme. I like the look of the buildings.”

Patel told the board that if all goes according to plan, he hopes to break ground on the project in early 2024.