Developers received approval to build 568 single-family homes on 365 acres of farmland on the north side of Sycamore at Monday night’s city council meeting.

Construction could begin in about six years. The project would be completed no earlier than 2019, according to B & B Development of St. Charles.

The city council approved annexation of the land and development of the Sycamore Creek Phase Two housing development by B & B Development.

Sycamore residents crowded the council chambers for a three-hour public hearing to endorse or condemn the development.

“We just don’t want to lose the quiet, small-town atmosphere,” said Grace Adee, member of the Citizen Action for Reasonable Expansion.

“All we ask is that they delay their vote until after the voters have spoken,” she said.

CARE succeeded in putting a referendum on the March 16 ballot seeking public opinion of city expansion.

The referendum asks voters whether the city should put growth on hold for seven years. Adee said it would give the city a chance to adjust to development currently underway and assess the progress.

“We don’t want to halt growth; it’s unavoidable,” Adee said.

Richard Bates, a potential buyer of Sycamore Creek Phase Two lots, supported the development as an economic engine in the community.

The initial construction of the homes would bring money into the city, Bates said.

“I see these people every day in stores and on the street buying goods, buying services – supporting our economy,” Bates said.

Third Ward Alderman Barbara Leach moved that the council delay the vote until its April 5 meeting.

“I think the people sitting in the audience need to know that we hear what they say,” Leach said. “It’s ignorant of us to not listen to the people that voted for us.”

The motion failed, and the council voted 6-2 in favor of the development. Leach and 2nd Ward Alderman Pete Paulsen voted against the ordinance. Third Ward Alderman Andrew Larson was not present.