McHenry Times

At the Nov. 1 meeting of the Village of Cary Board of Trustees, the board discussed a proposal for a new development.

A developer, True North Properties Inc., is proposing to redevelop the old senior center in the village. The building is currently vacant and owned by the village. The developer has proposed outfitting the old building into four units and building additional structures to have a total of ten units on the properties with garages and parking.

The board and the developer discussed some of the details of the project, including how the shared garage space would operate, how the developer would maintain some green space on the property, and how it could increase the amount of space between the buildings. The developer agreed on looking into some options but the board also said that if the developer wasn’t able to increase the space the board sees no issues with it as is.

“I think it's really prudent that ... we're repurposing a building that has a lot of historic value to our community,” Trustee Ellen McAlpine said. “So I am absolutely thrilled that we're able to do that, that you guys are coming in and doing that. You guys have done a great job with projects that we've all seen pictures or have gone by. And I appreciate the fact that I think originally you guys would come with three additional buildings. You've knocked it down to two. I just think that this will conform very nicely, blend right in and be a very nice project.”

The project would require a rezoning of the property from single family residence to multi family residence. This would increase the housing supply around the downtown area and residents would have easy and walkable access to downtown. All of the changes and aspects of the proposed plan, including some building distance exceptions, come with a recommendation for approval from the planning and zoning committee.

The board voted unanimously in favor of the waiver for the project.

The board also voted to approve the Dahm Enterprises, Inc., bid for processing Cary’s Public Works Facility's wastewater sludge from drying beds.

The board will meet again at 6 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the Village Hall on 755 Georgetown Drive.