Housing across the street from the ballpark, big swaths of industrial property and an extension of Kautz Road all the way from Route 38 to Fabyan Parkway are parts on an ambitious planning document to be presented Monday by the city of Geneva.
Imagine acres of new industrial development that adds millions of dollars to Geneva's property tax base.
Imagine Kautz Road extending all the way to Fabyan Parkway from a brand-new railroad overpass at Route 38.
Or row after row of residences just across Kirk Road from the Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.
Such is the scope and promise of a SouthEast Master Plan, which will be presented tonight (7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 12) at the Geneva City Council Committee of the Whole meeting.
The 500-acre planning area extends from Route 38 on the north, to an extended Kautz Road on the east, to Fabyan Parkway on the south to Kirk Road on the west.
Development of the property over time has one huge potential impact: the diversification and expansion of Geneva's tax base.
"Industrial development is key to Geneva’s long term financial stability," says the report. "Currently the tax base is 74 percent residential as measured by equalized assessed value. Increasing the business tax base could reduce (the city's) reliance on sales tax."
The area is divided into four development subsections:
The full plan can be accessed here or can be found on the Committee of the Whole agenda packet on the city's website.
SOURCE: City of Geneva
Ellen Divita
5:56 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
I thank you for writing a story about the Southeast Master Plan. This plan is intended as an addendum to the City's Comprehensive Plan and re-states the City's vision that the area be developed with industrial and commercial use; a vision going back to 1989 planning documents. While I appreciate the coverage, I'd like to correct a few items in the story.
This is a formal presentation to the City Council Committee of the Whole, the CIty has been working on the plan since March of 2011. Three public meetings/Open House forums were held, and the Plan Commission recommended approval of the plan at a Public Hearing on October 25, 2012. The Plan does not call for townhomes across from Fifth Third Stadium, it is very clear that it respects the existing residential properties in the study area and the properties will remain as they are until their owners see fit to do something else with their properties. Also, the plan states that the 4th leg of the Kautz Road from Route 38 to Fabyan may not happen due to funding availabilities, but the plan does allow for it to happen (with a culdesec in the appropriate location to become a full road).
Arthur Dietrich
10:45 pm on Monday, November 12, 2012
How much will it cost and who's paying for it?
Kathy
8:24 am on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Arthur, the only cost estimate I could see in the plan was $20,000,000.00. It appears that it is for the utilities, storm water management, etc. I believe it also mentioned a grant from Kane County, no amount mentioned. I was not at the meeting, but I would just assume we are going to pay for at least some of it one way or another.
G.Ryan
9:20 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Yes, it seems Mayberry has turned into $$$Moneyberry.
Mitotero
9:35 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Perhaps it will benefit everyone in Geneva by expanding the tax base, adding jobs, and planning for the eventual buildout of an under developed area of Geneva. I applaud the city for staying in front of this. Hopefully the cost/benefit analysis of the return on infrastructure investments has been, or will be performed. I find this plan more meaningful than the downtown master plan.
G.Ryan
9:48 pm on Tuesday, November 13, 2012
I do agree with you Mitotero. However, I did not see any cost ratios put forth to evaluate if the benefits outweigh the risk. But I agree Geneva needs more industry and commerial businesses to expand its tax base. I did speak to one of the Alderman about the prospects of attracting more industry to help out with the tax issues plaguing all of us.
Jon Azavedo
8:28 am on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
"Or row after row of residences across from the ballpark" Who's going to foot the bill for Geneva East High School?
Ray Echer
7:07 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012
That's completely irrelevant if anything we would be building a Geneva West High School, seeing as the residents in Mill Creek are close to double the distance away from the High School compared to the ballpark.
Martha Hanna
12:32 pm on Friday, November 16, 2012
Yes Geneva residents the referendum for a new High School is next. Master plan equals more students equals more of those bloody teachers you will have to hire.