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Geneva sets hearing on annexation, rezoning for warehouse development

MIF angered tree advocates last year over clear-cutting of 300-year-old burr oaks

By Brenda Schory
Drone footage shows area near Geneva that was clear-cut of old oaks that activists were trying to save.

Drone footage shows area near Geneva that was clear-cut of old oaks that activists were trying to save last year. Property owner Midwest Industrial Funds has filed a petition to annex 225 acres to Geneva to develop as warehouses. (Photo provided by Brian Maher)

GENEVA – A petition from Midwest Industrial Funds to annex 225 acres between Route 38 and Kautz Road, south of Fabyan Parkway, will be the subject of a public hearing 7 p.m. April 11 at Geneva City Hall before the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Geneva also will hold a special City Council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, April 8, to discuss a proposed east side redevelopment plan and adoption of a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district for 297 acres encompassing the property. As proposed, the total TIF eligible redevelopment costs are estimated at more than $185 million.

Midwest Industrial Funds drew the ire of tree advocates last year in a failed attempt to stop it from cutting down about 75 burr oak trees, some of them estimated to be 300 years old. The area where the trees had been located is proposed for one of the warehouses within the development.

The petition seeks to rezone the acres to light industrial from rural residential and approve a planned unit development and a preliminary and final plat of subdivision, records show.

Midwest Industrial Funds, a real estate investment and development company based in Oak Brook, seeks to subdivide the acreage into four parcels.

The preliminary plans, which will be brought to the public hearing, include two development scenarios ranging from 2.1 million square feet to 2.5 million square feet of warehouse space among eight to 12 buildings on separate lots.

In scenario one, developers would construct eight buildings for a total area of 2,472,450 square feet, with 1,653 parking spaces and 448 spaces for truck trailers.

In scenario two, 12 buildings would be constructed for a total area of 2,130,740 square feet, with 1,867 parking spaces and 154 spaces for truck trailers.

Both scenarios would include 1,204,070 square feet for a wetland conservation area.

Six additional lots would be devoted to stormwater facilities and an electric substation parcel for a total of 11 lots for the overall development, documents show.

The company would provide 100 feet of right of way and improvements to extend Kautz Road from Route 38 to Fabyan Parkway, documents show.

MIF also would dedicate an acre for the electric substation that would serve this park, as well as other areas west of the proposed development, documents show.

The proposed wetland area will have native plantings and increased water storage capability that is intended to alleviate chronic flooding in the area, documents show.

The hearing will be in the City Council chambers, 109 James St. and also livestreamed on the Geneva Broadcast Network.

The full application is available online at www.geneva.il.us.

GenevaKane CountyWarehousesDevelopment