Construx of Illinois received the green light from the DeKalb Planning Commission Wednesday night to purchase 190 acres of land north of NIU for a new residential development.

The developers aim to place 877 single family homes between Hillcrest Drive and Twombly Road in a $132 million Savannah Green development.

Commission members appeared cautious during the meeting’s work session at first, questioning the effects such a development would have on the city’s comprehensive economic development plan.

“This project sits in a policy framework that already exists, and is in line with the comprehensive plan,” said Community Development Director Paul Rasmussen.

Commission member Herb Rubin expressed some concern that the development could lead the planning process rather than be a product of it.

“My problem is with the 877,” Rubin said. “This is probably a 10 percent expansion of the town.”

Construx owner Michael Suhadolnik said the expansion would be less than that because of the nature of the homes and the demographics of the residents who often occupy the kinds of homes the group wants to build.

“We are looking to attract people of all demographics, but we would expect the occupancy to average around two and one-half people per home,” he said.

Rasmussen said most governmental agencies are aware of the size and scope of the proposed project.

“The park district, sanitary district and the school district are all aware of the project,” he said.

Rubin expressed concern that the new development would attract many people from the suburbs and doubted the development would bring in 877 families from the DeKalb area.

Suhadolnik disagreed, arguing his company’s projections found the expansion would retain as many as 50 families that move out of the area each year.

Rasmussen agreed the population base would be a useful supply to the work force that could aid in the development of Park 88 near Interstate 88.

“If we want to build this light industrial and office area, we need a work force, and we could have that force come in on 88, but if we keep them here, we can become self-sustaining,” he said.

Rasmussen added that the university has had problems with utility expansion in its West Campus Master Plan, and the subdivision would bring those utilities right to the university’s back door.

Rubin expressed concern about city staff’s apparent support of the proposal, and made it clear that staff should be objective on such issues, but he claimed the staff appeared to be in favor of the development.

Rasmussen countered, indicating the reason the staff appeared in favor of the proposal was because it was a plan that had many amenities they had never seen before and they felt it would be an excellent addition to the city.

“I was the most skeptical person on the staff at first, but was very impressed by the construction proposals and the basic physical design of the development,” he said.

Construx has built two other similar developments in other college towns, including Normal and Urbana, Ill. Suhadolnik said the Normal construction is 50 percent complete, while the Urbana project is in its first phase.

One favorable aspect of the proposal was the creation of a large amount of park space and a retail development in the center of the plan, all of which is designed to be within a five-minute walking distance of every new home. The retail development includes 50,000 square feet of retail space. The company intends to lure a coffee shop, a video store, several other retail outlets and a restaurant.

Another unusual aspect was the design of the lots. Each block would have an alley behind it with access to garages, so no infrastructure elements of the houses would be seen from the primary streets.

“This design uses a grid-street system consisting of narrow streets with tight corners, placing an emphasis on pedestrian traffic,” Rasmussen said.

The project would be completed in five stages over five years.

Infrastructure considerations for construction of the development follows Construx’s focus on pedestrian traffic. A complete concrete facility would have to be built to mix the special concrete used for the foundations of the homes.

The company is considering locating a plant in a DeKalb area already developed that could supply workers living within walking distance. Suhadolnik indicated the company was considering building the plant in the Pleasant Street neighborhood. A similar plant built for the Urbana development employs more than 100 people.

Included in the plans is a large community center complex including a pool to be built by Construx and then donated to the DeKalb Park District, which would then oversee the facilities.

The committee appeared to strongly favor the company’s intent to keep financial revenues in DeKalb. Suhadolnik ensured the committee financing for the development would be gained from local financial institutions.

Though the planning commission questioned many aspects of the proposal, the overall sentiment of the board was very favorable.

Commission member Nancy Vedral concluded the work session discussion by asking the committee for a course of action.

All members favored continuing the planning process for the development.

“We have given you the green light, it’s now your move,” she told Suhadolnik.