Naperville City Council unanimously voted to approve the 5th Avenue concept principles and to direct Ryan Companies to draw up the first concept.
This comes after lengthy community engagement campaign consisting of public open houses, working groups, and steering committee meetings.
But some residents are still concerned about the possible size of the development so close to a primarily residential area.
“It’s not a question of no development, it’s a question of appropriate development,” said Naperville resident Tim Messer. “It’s my sincere hope that Ryan Companies will keep all this in mind as they move forward in the concept design phase.”
The 5th Avenue Steering Committee drafted the concept principles for the project. Two things those principles call for include “a diverse mix of uses, including green space, parking, residential, boutique retail, and commercial office,” and to “provide appropriate transitions, respect the neighboring communities and complement and the character of the area while incorporating modern amenities.”
Ryan Companies will use these principles to guide them through the creation of the first concept drawings.
“We are not even close to the nitty-gritty,” said Councilman John Krummen. “These are our first layout concept prints – the first of many to come. You never go into production with your first prototype so there will be revision A, revision B, revision C, and if we get to revision W then so be it.”
Ryan Companies will take a few months to create drafts before coming back to the city.
Naperville News 17’s Blane Erwin reports.
