Proposed units would be aimed at ‘high-end’ renters
By Marney Simon | Enterprise Staff

Village leaders got a first look at a proposal to turn vacant land into high-end apartments near Plainfield’s downtown area.

On Nov. 27, trustees were shown the concept plan for Cedarlake Village, a 288-unit apartment development proposed to sit west of the current American House Cedarlake senior residential community along Van Dyke Road.

The applicant, Buckingham Properties, is proposing units that sit along Wallin Drive.

The original plan to develop the property called for 422 units added to the American House subdivision. The site is now being proposed to hold an upscale, market-rate apartment development of 288 units.

Buckingham Properties President and CEO Christopher Coleman gave a rundown of the plan during a meeting of the Committee of the Whole. Coleman said the concept plan mirrors the Tapestry of Naperville apartment homes, as well as other high-end apartment complexes in neighboring areas.

“Those places are built to a very high standard, and that’s what we’re talking about here,” Coleman said. “They fill up immediately. There are people today who would love to live in that kind of a lifestyle, that kind of a community, but they simply don’t have the opportunity to stay in Plainfield. So, what do that have to do, they have to go to surrounding communities to find something like that. We think if we build that here, we will tap in to an unserved market of people who want to stay in Plainfield, of people who want to move to Plainfield, and take advantage of everything that makes Plainfield great.”

Coleman said the units would likely attract two renter demographics: Couples aged 20 to 30, and singles/couples between 40 and 55.

The site would include high-end apartment homes with designer finishes, a community center, pool, fitness center, cyber café, game room and business center.

The apartments would be three-story buildings with integrated garage parking, plus surface and detached garage parking.

Concept architecture has yet to be finalized, but will include a mixture of siding with stone and brick accents.

Floorplans will consist of one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, with rent at approximately $1,300 to $1,900 per month.

Village trustees had a smattering of differing opinions on the proposal.

“As a broker… the biggest feedback I get is, there’s nothing for rent in Plainfield, but I can’t afford $2,000 a month, I’m going through a divorce. That’s probably half of my clients,” said Trustee Cally Larson. “It’s a very unfortunate real circumstance that we deal with every day in real estate. And there is a need for it… I’m not opposed to this, but I have a lot of reservations about stability.”

Some village trustees had issues with the location for the proposed apartment complex. While the surrounding areas already contain residential uses, trustees said they expect Route 30 to become a commercial corridor, and high-end apartments may not be the preferred use.

“This is a great concept, but I would love for you to find another place for it,” said Trustee Larry Newton.

Trustee Margie Bonuchi added concerns that the units could create too much density in one spot.

“I like the idea, I think what you’re putting in is beautiful… but I don’t agree with that many units all in one place. I think it’s going to be taxing on additional services that we need,” Bonuchi said.

Trustee Edward O’Rourke said he was in favor of adding apartment options to the village.

“I think what we’re lacking is a balance between different housing types in our community,” O’Rourke said. “I think we’ve done a great job building single family homes, different two-story houses, but try to find an affordable ranch in our town or a condo, I don’t even think we have any condos with elevator services and ground parking for people that desire that aspect. So, apartments, we have some, but we certainly don’t have what I would describe as a surplus, so I think we’re probably underserved… and I think the location fits very well.”

Trustees provided the developers of the site with feedback. A date for further discussion or more complete concept plans will be determined at a future date.