Oswego PZC Rejects Route 31 Concept Plan on January 8, 2026
Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting – January 8, 2026
The Oswego Planning & Zoning Commission met on January 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Village Hall. The main agenda item was a concept plan review for a proposed residential development on a 6.7‑acre site along Route 31, north of River Road. The applicant, Property Addon, presented a plan for 60 units (20 townhomes and 40 condominiums) at a density of 8.95 units per acre. After extensive discussion, the commission voted 5‑2 to reject the concept plan. Public forum followed, with four residents speaking.
Consent Calendar
- Approval of Minutes (December 4, 2025): Unanimously approved by roll call vote (9‑0).
Discussion Items
- Route 31 Property Concept Plan (Project #1296.25):
- Applicant Presentation: Carrie Hansen (Shoppy Design Associates) and Rohit Dhingra (Property Addon) presented a high‑level concept for 20 townhomes in five buildings and 40 condominiums in one five‑story building. The site is unincorporated, zoned R3 in Kendall County, and the applicant seeks annexation as D1 PUD. Key features: one divided boulevard entrance, 0.8 acres of stormwater management, 2.47 acres of open space, a 325‑foot setback from the Fox River, and parking exceeding UDO requirements. The project aligns with the 2015 Comprehensive Plan’s downtown district designation, which envisions expanded downtown with riverfront density.
- Commissioner Concerns: Multiple commissioners expressed that the density (8.95 units/acre) was too high compared to surrounding single‑family homes (e.g., River Run at 2.27 units/acre, River Mist at 3.33 units/acre). The five‑story building was seen as out of scale and incompatible with existing neighborhoods. Concerns included impact on property values, lack of walkability to downtown (requiring crossing Route 31), insufficient emergency vehicle access, and disruption of wildlife and privacy for adjacent homeowners. Commissioner Pager argued the project was exactly what downtown needs to attract businesses and increase foot traffic.
- Commissioner Positions: Several commissioners (Bradshaw, Hillman, Coon, McCallum, Sather) opposed the plan due to density and compatibility. Pager and Roode supported the concept in principle, with Roode suggesting reduced density (4–5 units/acre).
- Staff Comments: Development Services noted the comp plan is being updated and encouraged public participation. The traffic study and detailed engineering would come later if the plan advanced.
Public Comments & Testimony
- John Brodemus (2470 State Route 31, 40‑year resident): Advocated for a “Burnham Plan” making the riverfront park space, noting sewer infrastructure challenges on the east side of Route 31.
- Kevin Stone (90 Hickory Street, 40+ year resident): Thanked the commission for rejecting the plan. Said residents are “tired of seeing apartments” and urged more community input in the comp plan update.
- Terry Anderson (568 Sudbury Circle, resident since 1967): Supported the concept, noting River Mist residents want walkability to downtown. Called for open‑mindedness about density near the river.
- Renee Atkins (2216 State Route 31, riverfront owner): Opposed the plan as incompatible with surrounding acre‑lot homes. Asked to preserve the riverfront corridor’s character.
Key Outcomes
- Vote to Reject the Concept Plan: Motion by Commissioner Sather, seconded by Commissioner Bradshaw. Roll call: Bradshaw (yes), Collins (yes), Hillman (yes), Coon (yes), McCallum (yes), Pager (no), Roode (no). Motion carried 5‑2. The concept plan is denied at this stage; the applicant may choose to revise and return to the Village Board.
- Next Steps: The developer may seek input from the Village Board. The next Planning & Zoning Commission meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
More or less. For the folks in the audience tonight, just to uh excuse me, explain our process. Uh the item I'm assuming you're all here to talk about is the um concept plan that we'll be reviewing for property along Route 31. Um it is not a public hearing, um, so the public doesn't get to give input during the presentation or our discussion with the um person who is submitting the concept plan. However, immediately following that, we do have public forum, at which case anyone can come up and address the commission and express opinions. Um so you'll have the opportunity after you've heard what they have to present and what we have as far as our reactions and whatever action we take on that concept plan, you will have an opportunity to come up, become part of the record and speak during public forum. If you do wish to do that, we would ask that you fill out one of the yellow sheets that are available to identify you so that we can just make it easier for us to keep a public record of who's um speaking um at our meeting. Okay. Um the birthday boy's not here. No. And Rick, of course, is Rick, so all right. Call to order this meeting of the Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission. Roll call, please. Kim Bradshaw here, Tom Collins, Lisa Hillman, Rick Coon, Andrew McCallum, Charlie Pager, here. Joe Pyle, David Roode, Justin Sather. Okay. Um first item on our agenda is review and approval of the minutes of the December 4th meeting. Um, if there are no additions, corrections, or deletions, a motion to approve would be in order. So motioned. Okay. Roll call, please. Kim Bradshaw, yes. Tom Collins, Lisa Hillman, Rick Coon, Andrew McCallum. Yes. Charlie Pager. Yes. Joe Pyle? Yes. David Rood? Yes. Justin Sather. Yes. Uh, we have no public hearings or old business. The one item on our agenda tonight is new business. It is a concept plan for property along Route 31, project 1296.25. And Mr. Zenner. Thank you. Uh the petitioner's requesting approval of a concept plan for the Route 31 property. We call it the Route 31 property because we don't have an address for it, but just kind of over here. Kenny Village Hall. The plan provides for a 20 townhome units and 40 condominium units on 6.7 acres. It's on the east side of Route 31, north of River Road, River Run Boulevard. Probably is directly adjacent to the Fox River to the east. Uh, the petitioner is here to do a brief presentation of their concept and talk walk us through the project. Okay. Of course, if you would identify yourself for the record. I most certainly would have a lot of people. Okay. Good evening.
openpublica.com