Opposition Mounts For Charles Farm Development, Annexation

ST. CHARLES, IL — Opposition continues to mount over a massive housing development currently proposed for rural Kane County, which could bring more than 1,900 additional homes to the area as well as a Del Webb complex for senior residents.

Pulse Home Co. LLC is looking to St. Charles to annex the site, which consists of a 970-acre development that is south of Route 38, east of Brundige Road, west of Harley Road and north Keslinger Road near unincorporated LaFox, according to the Daily Herald. Pulte has filed a concept plan with the city and the plan commission is next set to discuss the plan on Sept. 4.

If passed, the development would bring 846 single-family homes, 198 townhouses and 967 residences to a Del Webb section.

This is not the first time the land was supposed to be a part of a controversial development. In the early 2000s much of the land was supposed to be a part of development called Grand Prairie and then Settlements of La Fox.

Drew Frasz, president of the La Fox Civic Association, recently touched on the potential annexation agreement for the land in a letter posted on the LaFox Association website.

"Annexation to St. Charles is not desirable as it would take control of the development away from Kane County and give it to St. Charles. This would result in very high density and no representation of the existing property owners in the issue," Frasz wrote. "The good news is that the La Fox Civic Organization was formed 24 years ago to represent area residents in development issues."

Frasz said La Fox Civic Association officials have already begun meeting with officials in St. Charles to share information regarding why annexation "is not in St. Charles best interests."

"We have successfully opposed annexation of all or part of this property twice in the past. We have defined the La Fox areas as approximately four square miles bordered by Rt. 38, Keslinger, Harley, and Brundige Roads," he wrote. "Since our area is in the Kane County 2040 Land Use Plan as being in the 'Critical Growth Area' and has a train station, development of some kind will likely occur. Our goal is to have any development be lower overall density, be done through Kane County, and involve community input."

More information on the proposal can be found on the city of St. Charles website.