Cary trustees postpone vote on 360-unit Seasons of Cary project after residents oppose New Haven Drive extension

The Village of Cary on Oct. 21 heard a multi-hour presentation and more than two hours of public comment on a proposal called the Seasons of Cary — a mixed-use project that would redevelop the former Damish farm along Illinois Route 31 with retail frontage and a 360-unit apartment community. Village staff and the developer sought approvals including a comprehensive-plan amendment, rezoning, final plat, stormwater variance and a planned-unit development; trustees postponed action and continued the matter for further review.

The developer, Tony DeRosa of Fiduciary Real Estate Development, told trustees the proposal pairs roughly 4.7 acres of Route 31 commercial frontage with a 360-unit, two‑story residential community organized in building clusters around an internal access road and five stormwater basins. “We want to be a good neighbor,” DeRosa said, outlining building materials, a 5,000-square-foot clubhouse and an amenity package including a pool and fitness center.

But much of the public discussion focused on traffic and the project’s proposed extension of New Haven Drive to Route 31. Developer, staff and consultant presentations described two connection options studied: a full two‑way extension and a unidirectional (westbound) configuration that would permit vehicles to exit existing New Haven toward Route 31 but restrict eastbound access into the Cambria subdivision. Louis Abuna of KLA, the traffic consultant, said the study projects higher daily traffic at New Haven’s western terminus under a two‑way option (about 1,700 vehicles per day at the property line) versus roughly 900 vehicles per day under a one‑way configuration; he said the volumes fall within typical collector‑street ranges and that traffic‑calming measures could be used.

Residents told trustees they were not persuaded. Dozens of speakers from Cambria, Cimarron and nearby neighborhoods said New Haven is a narrow, curved residential street now used mainly by neighbors and that extending it to Route 31 would create cut‑through traffic, faster speeds and safety risks for children and pedestrians. “I want transparency. I would like for you guys to just be honest about what is a done deal, what is happening, and we’re just gonna have to deal with it, and what is on the table,” said resident Jim Dalbeck. Megan Miller, another resident, said: “This connection is not a solution for access and it’s an attempt to cover poor planning decisions made years ago.”

Trustees pressed staff and the developer on technical details. Staff summarized requested departures from the Unified Development Ordinance: reduced building setbacks on New Haven (portions proposed as small as 15 feet but recommended by ZPA to be increased in spots), slightly fewer parking spaces than the code requires (784 proposed vs. 810 required), an increase in maximum density to roughly 13 units per acre (code maximum 9 units/acre) and monument sign area above the standard. The petitioner seeks a variance to the McHenry County stormwater ordinance to increase the maximum detention drawdown time from 72 to 96 hours; staff said the county did not object during review.

Trustees and staff also discussed conditions suggested during zoning review. The Zoning and Planning Advisory body recommended approval contingent on a suite of conditions including final traffic‑calming measures to be determined before building permit issuance, engineering verification of stormwater designs at permit stage, and revisions to certain setbacks. Several trustees said they want follow‑up information before casting a final vote — for example, a list of prospective commercial tenants showing which retailers are likely only if a traffic signal is installed at the Route 31 intersection, and more detailed stormwater and parking analyses.

At the end of the meeting trustees voted to table the ordinance and continue consideration to a future meeting so staff and the developer can provide additional information and the board can review proposed traffic‑calming options and technical follow‑up. The developer said the project could proceed without a guaranteed traffic signal but that signal approval by the Illinois Department of Transportation would strengthen the commercial marketability of the Route 31 frontage. Trustees asked that any questions the board wants answered be provided to staff promptly so the developer can prepare responses for the continued hearing.

The board’s postponement means no final zoning changes or variances were adopted Tuesday. Staff said the item will return for further board review; trustees directed staff to collect additional data and to solicit a specific traffic‑calming plan and more detail on commercial demand and stormwater verification prior to any final vote.

Votes at a glance

- Motion to table consideration of the ordinance for the Seasons of Cary PUD (comprehensive plan amendment, map amendment, final plat, stormwater variance and PUD): motion passed; matter continued to a future meeting (date discussed but not clearly finalized during the hearing).