SYCAMORE – A developer’s request to add one-bedroom apartments at Old Mill Park, a 55-and-over community in Sycamore, was rejected by the city this week.

The Sycamore City Council denied a request to amend a special use permit for the project that would have allowed the developer to increase the number of available condominiums in the project’s second phase. The development would have been on the north side of Mount Hunger Road.

The Sycamore Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended that the City Council approve the application, and the City Council voted 2-6 to approve it on Monday.

Brian Grainger, the property’s developer, has said the one-bedroom condos he wanted to add would likely have had a starting price of between $250,000 and $300,000.

The Sycamore City Council questioned the need for apartments without two bedrooms.

First District Councilwoman Alicia Cosky was among those who voted against Grainger’s motion.

We’re starting to put too many things where two people can’t pull out of their driveway at the same time, and that’s the part that just drives me crazy. I’m having a lot of trouble with that.”

— Jeff Fischer, City Councilman of the 3rd District

“I struggle with the lack of evidence or the need for these very small units that have windows on one end and a porch in front of those windows, so how much sun is actually going to come through?” Cosky said. “We’re providing these for older adults who are struggling — some older adults are struggling with depression — and so I’m concerned about people’s mental health. And maybe that’s not my job as a city councilman, but going into a unit that only has windows on one wall, a very small wall, and then the rest — no natural light in the kitchen, no natural light in the bedroom — I have a problem with that.”

The first phase of the project, which included 48 multi-bedroom apartments in 12 four-unit buildings, received city approval in 2016 and can be seen from the corner of Route 23 and Mount Hunger Road in Sycamore. Only a few of the four dozen units remain under construction, and Grainger has turned his attention to the second phase of Old Mill Park.

The second phase had previously received city approval for an 84-unit development, but Grainger – citing demand for smaller, more affordable properties in Sycamore – wanted to add 32 one-bedroom units to the second phase of the development.

The changes would have increased the number of housing units in 16 of the complex’s 21 buildings from four to six. Some city officials opposed this proposal to increase housing density.

Cosky asked for data showing the need for smaller units. Grainger said he is the builder being interviewed for the study.

“If someone did a study on the need for what people are looking for over-55s, they would call me because we’re the ones doing it,” Grainger said. “I’ve met hundreds of people who want to retire here in Sycamore, and I hear their concerns. Nobody is worried about density.”

Jeff Fischer, Third District councilman and one of the six councilors who voted against the amendment, said he understands that developers want to cram as many housing units into one building as possible. Fischer said he was concerned about the density of the project.

“Cities and towns need a density rule, and there’s a reason for that. … I like your other ones, of course, but there are other developments in Sycamore that I honestly don’t like,” Fischer said in an interview with Grainger. “The Planning and Zoning Board and the Town Council really need to look at the design of a development and how that design looks and feels in the community. We’re starting to build too many things in a way that two people can’t pull out of their driveway at the same time, and that’s the part that just drives me crazy. I have a hard time with that.”

The requested changes to the residential community would have increased the complex’s residential density to 6.2 units per acre, above the average density of three to six units per acre for which the complex had previously been approved.

John Sauter, Sycamore’s community development director, wrote in an Aug. 13 letter to City Manager Michael Hall that increasing population density would not conflict with city planning, city documents show.

“Although the addition of the 32 additional units would result in a density slightly above the recommended three to six units per acre, it is consistent with the goals and objectives” of the city’s comprehensive plan or city ordinance, Sauter wrote. “(N)or it would be detrimental to neighboring residential and commercial areas.”

Third District Councilwoman Nancy Copple also voted against the motion, citing concerns that it could set a precedent that would allow developers to circumvent city regulations.

“You have to have a firm limit,” Copple said.

Fourth District Councilwoman Virginia Sherrod said she was also concerned about population density, while her colleague, Fourth District Councilman Ben Bumpus, said he was not as concerned.

“In my view, the increasing population density does not exceed the threshold that concerns me,” said Bumpus, who voted for the changes in the housing project.

Second District Councilman Pete Paulsen also agreed with the amendment, saying he had no problem with the density of the project.

2nd District City Councilman Chuck Stowe said he disagreed with the project.

“I’m concerned about the density. I was already somewhat concerned about the original, and this increases the density. I just can’t vote for it. I’ve been on council long enough to see some of the mistakes we made in the past before we figured some things out, and I think that would be a step backwards,” Stowe said.

Grainger said the second phase of the Old Mill Park development was originally approved for 4.5 units per acre, but they tried to change that to 6.2 units per acre because their potential clients were looking for smaller, cheaper units.

He said he regularly speaks with potential buyers who love Sycamore but believe the available units are larger than they need.

“I’ve met a number of people who would really like to move here,” Grainger said. “But they don’t have the opportunity to do so. So I think it’s shortsighted to deny them the opportunity to retire here in a retirement community like Old Mill Park.”