Council-watchers will be interested to see how commissioners respond to the Ad Hoc Committee on Housing’s final report at tonight’s workshop session.
Of particular interest is whether the council will accept the report as the final word that there is no looming shortage of affordable housing in Downers Grove — or whether there will be enough commissioners who remain unconvinced to continue the process.
There was a difference of opinion on the AHCH as to what, in any, the next step should be. However, a source close to the committee says the majority of members agreed that housing in the $250,000 – $400,000 should be stabilized, even if only by helping older residents maintain their homes.
Clearly, there are many in the community who don’t want to see this issue — which burst forth to so much apparent local enthusiasm a year ago — fizzle out. You can expect proponents to be out in force at tonight’s workshop meeting.
Should commissioners be swayed, they will need to decide what the next step is, including whether to reopen discussion of ceding part of the bond cap to the state’s IDHA housing program.
In other business, the council will consider whether to amend the zoning of two manufacturing parcels at 715-719 Rogers St. from M-1 (Light Manufacturing) to DT (Downtown Transition) to allow for a planned development of 16 townhouses. Mark Thoman discusses the matter in detail, including its potential for major stormwater problems in the future.
Originally planned for tonight’s meeting, but postponed until May, is discussion of the T-Mobile application to erect cell towers in Gilbert and Hummer parks.
I am laid low with a ridiculous head cold. I sent my comments to Cara for inclusion into the record, and will content myself to watching the meeting on-line with my box of kleenex at hand.
As of 3:32 pm today, April 22nd there are 178 houses currently on the market in Downers Grove at or between the 250k- 400k. When you add ’3 bedroom’ to the search criteria the number is still a robust 157.
There is no shortage of affordable housing in Downers Grove. None.
Unfortunately I have no doubt that the local contingent of foam cup wielding septegenarians will descend on the meeting like a bingo parlor on Tuesday night, and make they’re impassioned pitch for Socialism in the guise of preservation and Christian values regardless of the committee’s recommendations. ‘I would love to help my son out with the grandkids but he lives so far away! My poor little Timmy and his second wife can’t even afford a little house here in Downers to be near us! Sure he works the overnight shift at the MiniMart, but he shouldn’t he DESERVE a home here’?
No, he does not.
Unfortunately it’s also a truism that older people vote, and the wise in council will listen with furrowed brows and scribble notes and do whatever they have to do in order to keep their jobs. So this (non) issue, so wrapped up in layers of class envy, Socialism, and jealousy will survive to suck time away from more pressing local issues.
That great sucking sound you just heard? That’s Timmy his second wife and her 4 kids pulling up in his Mom’s old Toranado.
Come outside to meet the new neighbors.
I could be on my death bed and I would still show up. I even hired a baby sitter to go. I am going to be there to see the spectical that is the Dupage United. I can’t wait to see the bleeding hearts looking for a hand out. Oh you guys don’t need to bond cap credit for spurring on economic growth in town. Give it to some sluggo with a 550 FICO score so they can default on the loan 6 months later. It should be good.
Well I’ve been a troll long enough on the topic. I would have to agree that there isn’t a problem with housing in DG. I was fortunate enough to have purchased my home years ago and I am looking forward to selling it in 10 – 15 years from now at a much higher price then I purchased. It will be a welcome addition to my pension and make my retirement more enjoyable. The home wasn’t my first home. It was actually the third residence. We worked on each prior home, improving and then selling to get to where we are today.What happened to working for the prize. Start somewhere else and work your way up.
One of you lawyer types should draw up some paperwork. A contract that will sell the homes of the group working to freeze costs at a below market value at the time they want to sell. Let’s see how many will put up and walk the walk. If they all do it, then it is a great cause that they fully believe in and I will respect them for their efforts. Otherwise, what are they doing? IMHO
Have a great week.
Lurker I think is the term you are describing yourself as. A troll would be purposefully disruptive or controversial with the intention of baiting others into emotional responses.
Greg = my new hero.
Mark Thoman taking the time to point out the nuances between the ‘Troll’ and ‘Lurker’ metaphors. Sigh…
I am going to be very blunt in this post. If you have a weak stomach please look away now!!
Wow, I must have struck the perverbial nerve with the Dupage United. I love that every speaker that the DU sent up to speak had to defend my statement of “entitlement and hand outs”. Apparently my point was well received and it must be valid if you are disputing it. After seeing the DU in action, I think I should refer to the Dupage United Downers Grove Housing Team as the Dupe’s, because they want to dupe the public into believing their is an issue we need to fix.
A home shortage in the $200k-$300k range, what ever. The Anderson report mearly stated there could be a shortage in the future. That is some ground breaking stuff. Of course there is going to be a shortage eventually. The cost of living goes up not down. Who here went to college? Anyone, anyone, Bueller???? The thing is when the DUD’s finally figure out what crummy little house they can build for $200k-$300k , those homes will be worth $300k-$400k. Now what do you do?? Now we need to save those and so on and so forth.
I am just glad that most of the council and Mayor have come to the realization that the FREE MARKET should rule.
Comm. Tully’s statement tonight was a bit perplexing. I think he said the ad hoc committee’s findings convuluted the issue. Would this be a correct statement Comm. Tully? I think you believe the issue will work itself out, but I am not too sure yet. Can you clarify your position please. If you don’t want to post it please email or call me. Thanks.
Comm. Durkin, I am very glad that you are on the same page with most of us. I was wondering what your meeting with Hazard would do to your stance on this issue. Apparently the meeting had no influence on your belief that we have a stong and diverse housing stock.
I agree with the Mayor on this issue 100%. Everything he said was like I would have said it. I guess great minds think alike.
I think that Comm. Beckman and Nuestadt are on the right track.
I didn’t even speak tonight because there was nothing left for me to speak about. I have said my peace. Make no mistake though if I feel that the scale is tipping in the wrong direction I will get back in the game and defend my principals.
Mr. Hazard, the people who follow this issue know exactly who your rant was directed at. I have big shoulders, if that was your best, you’d better get back to the drawing board. I really like how you and your folks all get up there and try to dispute my principals. It is all about entitlement. How can you dispute giving money to people for FREE. How can you stand up there and say that its not about hand outs. Giving people money to pay for a down payment is a hand out. Bond cap is used to spur on economic growth through stimulating business and industry so that business can expand and hire more people to live, work and spend money in DG. I don’t want your kind of socialism in our town. I love how your group loaths tear downs. I really have not seen any home in the past 2 years get “scooped” up by a builder that someone offered to buy. If your affordable housing buyers dont snap these up someone will. Free market at its best. Where are all your buyers?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? I don’t see em’. There is more housing in your price range right now than the past 5 years. There are lenders and realtors standing by to take your calls.
Chad:
Its been a long day (Longer than you can imagine). So, please forgive me if I am equally blunt: If I said it once tonight, I said it several times — “I’m not convinced there is a basis for action at this time.” Perhaps my attempts at levity were perplexing, but I though my conclusion quite clear. Further, I don’t really see TCD III accomplishing anything other than punting the issue to another time and place.
You, and anyone else, are more than welcome to contact me to discuss this issue further, as you wish.
Regards,
Chad, actually there is a very recent situation in which a builder did “scoop up” a home a that had at least one solid bid. A vintage home on a double lot on Seeley south of Prairie will soon be torn down, along with many Heritage worthy trees, and replaced with two homes.
While it’s price tag was a long way off from affordable for most it points to the sometimes ugly underbelly the free market exposes. Greed seems to have won out here. It is a sad saga for the home and it’s neighbors but I would still defend the involved parties rights to engage in such a transaction.
CTT,
thanks for the example, I know that property. Anyone bidding on that property was bidding for future gain. I think that may not have been the best example though.
I know building two homes on an oversized lot seems like the builder is being irresponsible, but in reality at least the builder didn’t “scoop” up two properties to build one like in Hinsdale. I think splitting a HUGE parcel of land like that one is just what the village needs. Now we have two homes to pay for the infrastucture repairs and our school system. WIn WIn here. Most of you dont realize that these new homes pay much more in tax than you long time residents. If you looked at this town through the eyes of a CPA you would see that money makes the world go round.
If these “affordable homes” are being scooped up by builders then its really a case of you snooze you lose. There are 5 0r 6 very nice ranch’s in my area all listed in the $200k – $300k range. I have toured them and they are nice starter homes with HUGE lots…Did I mention they are on HUGE lots. If the average person had the vision to build and addition onto these homes they would be not just starter homes. Adding a modest addition would not even push these homes out of the affordable range. You could probably add 400-500 square foot and still keep this house with in the under $350 range. You need vision people. That is also why some houses sit on the market. People don’t want to put any work into homes anymore. What happend to sweat equity?
Comm. Tully,
I was in the room when you made your statement last night. I thought that is what you meant. Thanks for posting.
Chad:
Yes, your presence at last night’s meeting, and that of other members of the Ad Hoc Committee (whether they spoke or not), was duly noted. Again, regardess of the outcome, the contributions and volunteerism of all who participated in the exercise is much appreciated. Thank you.
(Sleep + coffee = less blunt post).
Unofficially yours,
CTT
I know this property as well, and as you point out its price tag far exceeded the ‘affordable housing’ criteria. In fact, I would go as far to say that this particular transaction is symptomatic of market forces at work. 10 years ago the original house would have been imploded and replaced with a home resembling the Merchandise Mart, complete with faux marble details and a soundtrack that played on a loop. Today, the builder sensibly split an oversized lot into 2 modest ones and is building 2 homes which will be modest by the standards of Seeley Ave. I don’t call that greed at all, I call it good business.
If anything ‘won out’ in this example its common sense.
I think I am being misunderstood. I do not advocate undue local government interference in it’s citizen’s right to transact property. I am not a builder hater nor do I think this builder is greedy. However, from previous experience, I do know it is hell to live next door to a construction site. I just think it is unfortunate that older homes, that are not in shambles, are unwanted by today’s buyer. And that for a few bucks homeowner hari kari can occur.
I do not know the specific details but this home that we all may be referring to had a buyer who would never have torn it down. Would a village ordinance that somehow tightens the guidelines of how or to whom it should be sold or be developed have protected it? Maybe. But I for one am not in favor of adding a cubicle at Village Hall for a Director of Housing.
This has been mentioned before but while it is agreed that tear downs increase the surrounding property values they also signifcantly increase other’s property tax as well. The tax per sq foot or home size proportionately increases based on those sales. Ask neighbors surrounding various new homes in town. Some of them got absolutely walloped last year. You take the good with the bad.
CTT
Understood. I appreciate your personal feelings regarding older homes, it may surprise many that I own one myself. However, I was willing to pay the price and remodel, I don’t think today’s buyer is not desirous of an older home, provided its in an area that buyer wants to be in. Unfortunately, many older homes in established communities (DG, Elmhurst, Western Springs, Clarendon Hills..) come with a hefty price tag and lack most of the amenities home buyers would expect to enjoy at said price tag. Thus the knock down. Personally, I’ve always felt its a sign of a healthy community when people are willing to pay the price ti live there, whether it be a fixer upper or mega mansion. Here in Downers, happily, we have both.
CTT,
Theresa Cockrell’s office told me that if the value of the neighborhood goes up because of new larger homes, the whole neighborhood will be assesed by the median value of that neighborhood. Every home gets assesed every year according to the assesors office.
On the flip side if your little shack is going up in value the county wants its share of property taxes for your new higher value. So yes the property taxes go up but so does the homes value.
Good stuff though CTT, great debate.
Wish I could have been at the meeting. sounds like it went well for the common sense side.
Mark, thanks for correcting my blog error.
Martin, wish more people would be more blunt, regardless of sleep deprivation.
All keep up the good work. Going back to my lurking mood.
oh and that should have been lurking ‘mode’..
CTT,
Pls refer those are upset about their rising property value to me. If they want to transfer the increased equity to me, I will be happy to pay the increase in their property tax. As property tax runs less than 2% of MV, I’m betting that I could do really well.