No Age-Targeted Housing In Plainfield? Board Denies Motion

PLAINFIELD, IL — The Plainfield Village Board did not second a motion to approve the development of age-targeted apartment homes on 37 acres of land at the southeast corner of 143rd Street and Steiner Road during its Oct. 5 meeting.

The applicant, Redwood Living LLC, was looking to build 223 single-story attached apartment townhomes, with each unit consisting of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an attached garage and a patio. The plan also talked about an interior-walking path that connects to the existing pathway on 143rd Street and allows for a parkway connection to a development to the south.

According to Jessica Gal, associate planner for Plainfield, the developers were not planning an age-restricted community, but intended to target empty-nesters and those who would like to live in a development that offers age-related amenities.

The concept plan that the board reviewed stated that 70 percent of people who live in other Redwood rental communities are empty-nesters — mostly in their early 50s — and the remaining 30 percent are young professionals. Redwood's resident profile typically pulls from within a three-mile radius, as many want to remain in the same community where they raised their children.

The plan also said that the resident demographic of the neighborhood makes it attractive to municipalities looking for solutions that allow its citizens to age in place. Because the emphasis of the neighborhood is to provide a peaceful environment, Redwood is also suitable for those whose jobs demand odd sleeping hours such as nurses, flight attendants etc.

Gal said what makes Redwood a preferred place for those that want to age in place are amenities in the homes, such as a door lever instead of a knob, the baths are plumbed for handle bars and so on.

Since the concept plan was reviewed back in May, she said the developer has proposed five new varying unit types for townhomes, with each differing slightly in size, orientation and architecture. Also incorporated were upgraded elevations, including enhanced side and rear elevations for units that are located along the property lines and at high-profile locations throughout the site.

During the April 7 Plan Commission meeting, members had raised several questions regarding the development including width of the roads, elevation and restricting number of residents in each unit. Satisfied with the responses, the commission had approved the motion.

Village Trustee Cally Larson had asked the developer in May what would stop younger families from moving into the apartments since it is not an age-restricted community. Her concern was that if younger families moved in it would further burden the local school districts.

"The younger families may use apartments as a starter home," she said. "This would have to be an age-restricted property before it moves forward. However, the developer of the proposed apartment homes believe the project would be more attractive to older Plainfield residents who want to stay close but don't want to live in a home that requires upkeep and work."

The developer can bring the project before the village board again at a later date.

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