🏘️ A sprawling residential development

A proposed project would potentially bring thousands of new residents to the area — and annex nearly 1K acres from Kane County into St. Charles.

Pulte Home Co. LLC recently submitted a preliminary proposal to St. Charles officials for the development, which it calls “Charles Farm.”

Key aspects include:

• Size: The project would encompass 970 acres of undeveloped land west of St. Charles.

• Location: Situated between Route 38 and Keslinger Road, with Brundige and Harley Roads as east-west borders.

• Housing composition: A 950-unit Del Webb community for older adults, more than 800 traditional single-family homes, and nearly 200 townhouse units.

• Additional features: About 15 acres earmarked for future commercial development.

Echoes of past proposals & community concerns

This isn't the first time large-scale development has been considered for this area.

The La Fox Civic Association formed in the early 2000s to oppose a similar project called "Settlements of La Fox." The group has expressed reservations about this development as well.

Garfield Farm Museum of Campton Hills also posted this message to Facebook calling for more local voices to weigh in on the proposal.

Among other things, residents are concerned about increased population density and preserving the rural character of Brundige Road.

As you may recall from a recent issue of this newsletter, Pulte Homes is the firm behind in-progress residential developments in Batavia.

Get more info

View the official project website or view the project summary.

Read more in this Daily Herald article.

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Check out some of their recent work to see why they’ve quickly become the Tri-Cities’ go-to contractors.

📰 News to use

☑️ Road diet moves forward: A Batavia committee recommended approval of a project that would reduce parts of Route 31 from four lanes to three in an effort to reduce speeds.

☑️ Finding balance: Several options are on the table as Kane County considers significant cuts and a sales tax increase amid budget challenges.

☑️ Plan for delays: The county’s annual urethane pavement marking project has begun, requiring lane closures on major roadways in the area for several weeks.

☑️ Cycling debate: Batavia residents raised concerns about a new bike lane plan for Millview Drive that would eliminate some parking on the residential street.

☑️ Honorable service: Kane County is looking for residents interested in serving as judges for the upcoming general election on 11/5. Judges receive $250 for working Election Day.

☑️ Still hanging around: Illinois is among several states experiencing a COVID surge this summer.

🏘️ In the community

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☑️ World stage: St. Charles native Erin Virtue played a key role as an assistant coach for the U.S. Women's National Volleyball Team, helping guide them to a silver medal at the Paris Olympics.

☑️ Local leadership: Four board commissioner seats are open for the St. Charles Park District's April 2025 election. Prospective candidates may begin circulating petitions tomorrow (8/20).

☑️ Neighborly lifeline: See photos from the Pärla/Stockholm's fundraiser event organized by the Geneva Chamber at Craft Urban last week.

🔒 Fighting distraction: Amid a national trend toward restricting cell phones in schools, Tri-Cities school districts have established several policies as the current school year kicks off. A group of Geneva moms of elementary school students urged the school board to consider phone-free schools.

☑️ Autumn athletics: The Geneva Park District's Harvest Hustle 5K and Kids Mile will be held on 9/21 at Peck Farm Park. Sign up by 9/1 to snag a shirt by race day.

🎸 Live music

We were in New Buffalo, MI on Saturday night, where we grabbed dinner at a local spot called Casey’s. Lo and behold, the live music performers for the evening were none other than the Fox Valley’s own Infunktious.

Glad they made the hefty commute — it was a great show.

Here’s the mid-week lineup of live music performances across the Tri-Cities this week.

🗓️ Events & things to do

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✳️ Trivia Under the Stars | Tues 8/20, 6:30-8:30PM | Preservation, Geneva | Gather friends, play solo or bring the kids and let them run around in the fenced-in patio. Mix in some Atlas Chicken, too!

🎟️ Theresa Caputo: The Experience | Tues 8/20 & Wed 8/21 | Arcada Theatre, STC | The performer shares with the audience her gift for communicating with those who have passed on. Here’s the Wednesday show listing.

☑️ Everything You Want to Know About Bats | Thurs 8/22, 7PM | Baker Community Center, STC | Animal expert and artful storyteller Pam Otto will lead an insightful evening.

🎟️ Mingling & Money | Thurs 9/5, 4:30PM | Up North Wine Tasting, Geneva | An evening of wine, wisdom and new beginnings for the financially savvy divorcee. Register before 8/29.

Plein Air events

The St. Charles Arts Council has organized a week of community activities centered around outdoor art, including:

• Tuesday 8/20 at 10AM: A live art demonstration at Lincoln Park.

• Wednesday 8/21 at Mt. St. Mary Park: A “quick paint” event (2-4PM), creative writing workshop (2-4PM), and a mindful creativity session (3-6PM).

• Thursday 8/22 & Friday 8/23: A chance to observe and engage with artists in downtown St. Charles.

• Saturday 8/24 at 6PM: A Fresh Paint Party where you can see and purchase art created during the week.

• Sunday 8/25, 11AM-4PM: Plein Air paintings will on display and on sale, plus live music and food trucks.

Get more details about the week’s festivities.

🗞️ Un-classifieds

☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles — including this $850K home on Fourth Street near downtown Geneva that was built in 1917.

☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.

☑️ Council meetings: All three towns have City Council meetings tonight (8/19). See the agendas: Batavia | St. Charles | Geneva

🌖 Weather snapshot

☀️ Today: High 77F | Low 55F | Dark n’ stormy

🌤️ Tuesday: High 74F | Low 51F | Cloudy + humid

🌤️ Wednesday: High 77F | Low 53F | Breezy, some sun

🌤️ Thursday: High 78F | Low 55F | Beautiful

📖 Thanks for reading

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