Developer plans to build 48-unit senior housing project in Sycamore

SYCAMORE – A local developer wants to build a 48-unit active-adult community at the southeast corner of Mt. Hunger Road and North Main Street in Sycamore.

Brian Grainger, owner of Solid Construction Services and Somerset Farm Sycamore LLC, recently brought a concept plan for the 8.59-acre property to the Sycamore Plan Commission. He is seeking
permission to build 12 four-unit buildings arranged similar to Somerset Farm off Bethany Road just east of Somonauk Street. Grainger's property, directly north of Old Mill Park, is zoned for commercial use. If Grainger's plan is to go forward, the city would need to rezone the property for residential use.

The neighborhood for residents 55 and older would have units that would be a “slight upgrade” from Somerset Farms, said Steve Nelson, a member of the Sycamore Plan Commission and the Sycamore School District 427 board. All would have basements, Nelson said.

The Plan Commission gave the proposal positive feedback, Nelson said.

“We all agreed that that’s been sitting as commercial for a long time,” Nelson told the school board at a meeting Tuesday.

The completed development would have an estimated equalized assessed value of $13 million, Nelson said. He added that it would be built out over three to four years, with construction starting next summer at the earliest.

Grainger also is eyeing property to north of the proposed development for building something similar if the first project goes well, Nelson said.

Grainger has built more than 400 homes in DeKalb County, according to his company website.

Nationally, active-adult communities are one of the brighter spots for homebuilders, Grainger said. He said Somerset Farm Sycamore, which only has three basement units left for sale, has shown that demand for this type of housing remains strong.

“The demographic is one of the busier segments nationwide,” he said. “That’s partly due to the sheer number of baby boomers.”

The units in the concept plan will range from about $240,000 to $270,000, depending on options, Grainger said. The floor plans will be similar to those at Somerset Farm Sycamore, but there will be some additional masonry options, he said. He said the property’s proximity to downtown Sycamore will be a key attraction for buyers.

The Sycamore Plan Commission gave Grainger some constructive feedback about the concept, City Manager Brian Gregory said.

To proceed, Grainger will have to return to the Plan Commission for a zoning change. At that point, the Plan Commission would provide a recommendation to the Sycamore City Council. The City Council would have the final say on approval, Gregory said.