107-unit ‘urban townhomes’ development advances in Crystal Lake

More housing could be coming to Crystal Lake as developers propose a plan to build more than 100 owner-occupied townhomes near the Three Oaks Recreation Area.

Developer Lennar Corp. aims to build 107 units in 20 three-story “urban townhome” buildings called Waterside at Three Oaks, with each unit having three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms, a two-car garage and a balcony, according to city documents. The plan calls for two grassy open-space parks for residents only with an outdoor shelter, playground, grill, seating areas and a path that connects to the Prairie Trail.

The 10.5-acre property, at 775 S. Main St., is adjacent to Three Oaks Recreation Area and the Water’s Edge development that is under construction and will bring 260 apartments and townhome rentals.

The Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended the plan and the city council is set to vote on the matter on Feb. 4.

Commissioners showed support for the development, but many want to see more windows on the sides of the buildings, especially the ones that face Main Street. Commissioner Jeff Greenman said either installing taller trees or adding more windows would be preferred. Commissioner Kathy Repholz said even turning the side window into a box bay window could be a better option.

“It is just an indicator of it being well done,” she said. “I think small investment, big difference as people go by and get an impression of the development.”

Developers expressed reservations about adding more windows, with Richard Murphy of Lennar saying the one window is ideal for interior placement of furniture and that the buildings will be covered up by trees as they grow taller over time.

“The interior of these and where they’re situated, it’s a big ask for a developer to look at changing the architecture,” Richard Olson, managing principal at Gary R. Weber Associates.

The city staff recommended developers extend a sidewalk to the walking path as another access point to the Three Oaks Recreation Area trail and add an upgraded crosswalk at the intersection of Main Street and Berkshire Drive. Construction of the Three Oaks Recreations Area looped trail is currently in progress and is expected to be completed in the next two years, Community Development Director Kathryn Cowlin said.

The “urban development” project was first presented to the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission as a preliminary step in June and was met with positive feedback.

The development proposes 12.4 units per acre, compared to the city’s ordinance of a maximum of nine units per unit. Parking is nearly double the required amount with four spaces per unit, a 10-space parking area for guests and 23 on-street spaces, according to city documents.

Lennar also developed the Woodlore Estates single-family home and townhouse subdivision near Routes 176 and 31.

The new proposal is on land that is part of the Vulcan Lake Tax Increment Financing District. Currently zoned as manufacturing, developers will need to request a rezoning to multifamily residential. An amendment to convert it to high-density residential would also be required because the land use comprehensive plan designates the property as commercial, according to city documents.

“I’m really excited to see this happen,” Commissioner Natasha Teetsov said. “It’s going to be beautiful to pass by, which is a very busy thoroughfare for all of us going to and from the different stores and our homes.”