As Joliet considers open the door to 1,700 or more new homes, one state legislator thinks the area may be growing too fast.
“I get scared to death when I hear Joliet is annexing 900 more acres in Kendall County,” said state Rep. Brent Hassert (R-Romeoville). “All that traffic’s got to come from [Interstate Highway 55].”
Hassert, addressing the Will County Board Legislative Committee, was referring to City Council plans to address the annexation request next month. A developer is proposing homes, two schools, a golf course, commercial property and parks near the intersection of Caton Farm and Arbeiter Roads.
Hassert warned that rapid growth could undercut attempts to build a strong economy.
“I understand Brent Hassert’s concern,” Joliet Deputy City Manager Jim Shapard said, noting that Kendall County development “is going to happen regardless” of Joliet’s involvement.
Joliet doesn’t initiate the annexations, Shapard added. “The land owners and developers come to us. We ensure it is a quality development with lot minimum lot sizes of 9,100 square feet.”
Without Joliet’s development controls, he said, residential construction means “smaller lots, well and septic and drainage ditches.”
The annexation is part of a 1,100-acre project proposed Neumann Homes development that sets aside 600 acres for single-family homes and 25 acres for multifamily units. The proposal anticipates 2.6 dwellings per acre, according to Joliet city staff.
Neumann also is proposing 45 acres of commercial property, two elementary schools, parks and a golf course that would be operated by the Joliet Park District or another third party.