Aurora City Council Examines New Townhouse Development Proposal Near Fox Valley Mall

The Aurora City Council Committee of the Whole recently reviewed a proposed townhouse development named Kingsley Row. This project, located near Fox Valley Mall, follows 18 months of negotiations between the developer, M/I Homes, and the city.

City officials explained that the development would include 185 townhomes across 38 buildings on previously undeveloped land at the intersection of Ogden Avenue and 75th Street, in Aurora’s far East Side. The townhouses will vary between two and three stories, offering two to three-bedroom units priced in the mid- to upper $500,000 range, according to Zach Kenitzer, manager of land planning with M/I Homes.

A final decision on the proposal is expected at the upcoming City Council meeting on August 25. The development promises to bring vital housing and increased tax revenue to the area. It is also favorably positioned within School District 204 and near major highways.

Negotiations were extended due to adjustments involving new sustainability standards and enhanced green spaces, as mentioned by David Dibo from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development. “It took a lot more time. It’s interesting how things came together with good faith and flexibility,” Dibo said.

“It wasn’t necessarily a traditional thing. It took a lot more time. It’s interesting how you could see things would not come together but that’s why I think it was exciting that it did come together, that everybody showed the good faith and flexibility to make it come together.” – David Dibo

The developer, M/I Homes, also agreed to complete the construction of Commons Drive, connecting it through the project. This entails upgrading intersections at Route 34 and 75th Street, entirely funded by M/I Homes, based on Russ Whitaker, an attorney for the developer. A previous project, Melody Town Center, failed to proceed, where the city was supposed to fund infrastructure extensions.

M/I Homes, according to Aurora Senior Planner Jill Morgan, plans to extend Commons Drive, connecting it to both Ogden Avenue and 75th Street. The design incorporates dedicated turn lanes at each intersection. Sidewalks will run along Commons Drive but not other roads, with the developer paying a fee to the city instead.

This development has also marked the first instance where M/I Homes incorporated performance-based home-efficiency standards, aligning with state requirements to enhance energy efficiency by 60% compared to homes built in 2006. Meeting these standards added $8,000 to $10,000 per unit, initially presenting a challenge for the company, per Alison Lindburg, the director of sustainability in Aurora.

M/I Homes must provide reports ensuring compliance with energy-efficiency standards during and post-construction. Permit fees were capped by the city to aid the developer, saving between $2,000 and $2,500 per unit. The Choose Aurora Homebuyer Assistance Program offers additional financial support for homebuyers.

These energy-efficient homes promise reduced utility costs, improved insulation, and enhanced soundproofing, according to Lindburg. Smaller mechanical systems can be used, showing the tangible value of efficiency measures.

Lindburg noted that implementing efficiency standards proved educational for both the city and the developer, helping to inform future projects. Sustainability remains a priority for the city, especially as demand for energy-efficient housing is expected to rise.

Aurora Mayor John Laesch expressed satisfaction with the project but hoped for additional features like a sound wall due to high traffic. The land, annexed by the city in 1998, was initially intended for commercial use before varied development proposals surfaced, albeit unfulfilled.