Residents shared mixed reactions to plans for two developments in downtown Homewood being developed by Holladay Properties.
Representatives for Holladay Properties were questioned on rent prices, greenspace and parking at an open house June 16 at the Homewood Science Center that focused on the upcoming transit-oriented development projects for 2024 Chestnut Road and 2066 Ridge Road.
Holladay Properties was selected by the village board to take on the projects earlier this year. The team also presented to the village’s Planning and Zoning Commission to share the details and layout of the sites. Did the commission vote on this?
The meeting gave residents an opportunity to speak directly with members of the development team to address any questions or concerns about the projects.
According to Holladay Properties CEO Drew Mitchell, ensuring that there will be enough parking is essential for the project, not only for residents but also for visitors and delivery people.
“We’re going to have 1.2 parking spaces per unit, which gives us the space to be able to accommodate anybody,” Mitchell said.
Renting Teslas will also be available for tenants, he said.
Homewood resident Liz Varmecky, who is an advocate for greenspace, was in attendance. She had spoken at village board meetings to urge for more greenspace in the community, and asked that greenspace be one of the priorities in the project layout.
Mitchell assured that the development plan includes a public garden with a stormwater detention facility underneath. The exterior also will have greenery incorporated throughout the building design, and there will be live trees in the lobby, he said.
According to Holladay Properties Vice President of Development and Leasing Michael O’Connor, the team also added a plaza during the planning process. It hopes to also possibly create a memorial space to honor members of the Homewood police and fire departments, he said.
Holladay Properties Project Designer Lori Kappel showed attendees pictures of what the outdoor amenities and gathering spaces, which will include a variety of plants, she said.
Homewood resident of 35 years, Nancy Gildart, expressed uncertainty on the Chestnut Road project.
Since rent for the units is approximately $2,000 per month, she’s skeptical of the affordability. She wonders if it would be more appealing to retirees rather than people with families and children who go to school.
“If you’re paying $2,000 a month, you might as well have a mortgage. You might as well have a house,” Gildart said.
She said she’s more curious about the development on Ridge Road.
The team is in discussions with acquiring additional property near the Ridge Road site, which would provide more space to work with, O’Connor said.
The Ridge Road site, at the northeast corner of Ridge and Harwood, will include a small, 2,000-square-foot retail space, he said.
“We don’t want to overdo it, we don’t want to compete with the businesses that are already here,” O’Connor said.
“We’re just trying to show that our history has allowed us to really be a very good developer in the space, and try to mash together all of these priorities that sometimes are competing and end up with a great product that the entire community can be proud of,” Mitchell said.
Homewood resident Sheena Nickerson is looking forward to the development and thinks it is a great addition to Homewood, she said.
“I think it will definitely bring more people to Homewood, and I think it will help the businesses here. We’re excited about the project,” Nickerson said.
