Oswego plan commission voices concerns with proposed duplex development: ‘This is way too dense’

The Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission recently voted to recommend denial of a concept plan for a proposed multi-unit residential development.

South Barrington-based Projades LLC proposes to build Jade Estates of Oswego, a 66-unit duplex development on about 8 acres on the southwest corner of Wolfs Crossing and Douglas roads in an unincorporated part of Kendall County near Oswego.

The developer was not present for the commission’s hearing on the plan.

“In my personal opinion, this is way too dense,” Planning and Zoning Commission Chair Charlie Pajor said.

The commission’s recommendation to deny the plan, along with village staff’s conditional recommendation for approval, will be forwarded to the Oswego Village Board, which will make the final decision on the project.

The proposed site plan has one access point along Douglas Road, which aligns with the Avanterra subdivision’s Douglas Road entrance, Oswego Village Planner Jeff Lind said in his report to commissioners.

The proposed use is consistent with the village’s comprehensive plan and surrounding neighborhoods as it would provide additional housing options in the village, he said.

However, staff did convey concerns over “the lack of a second access point as well as the lack of appropriately-sized landscape buffer yards.”

Staff did recommend approval of the concept plan pending the developer addressing those concerns.

The Oswego Police Department and Oswego Fire Protection District likely would request a second access point to the subdivision, according to staff.

The addition of those items would likely result in a decrease in units, Lind said.

Pajor suggested an emergency access with a gate rather than another full access on Douglas Road. A couple of commissioners objected to an area designated as a play area in the proposed project in close proximity to a detention pond and road.

Multiple concept plans for the site have been brought before the Planning and Zoning Commission, most recently Diamond Point, a proposed 52-townhome development in January 2023.

Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.