ELMHURST, IL – In comments to the city of Elmhurst, some residents backed allowing a new type of housing that is considered more affordable.
Others said the homes would make Elmhurst more crowded. One contended it was a ploy to bring in low-income housing.
The city has been seeking comments on possible updates to its zoning code.
Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
As part of the updates, officials are looking at allowing “accessory dwelling units,” or ADUs. They are commonly known as “granny flats.”
Accessory dwelling units come with a full kitchen and bathroom. They can be attached to a house or detached.
Find out what's happening in Elmhurstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The city’s draft ordinance would allow such units in local single-family neighborhoods if certain requirements are met.
Click Here: Manchester United Jersey Sale
Through a public records request in June, Patch sought the public’s comments on the proposal. The city released them Wednesday.
No names were attached to the comments.
Opponents said allowing such housing would make Elmhurst more dense and destroy a town of single-family homes. With granny flats, they said, Elmhurst could become more like Chicago.
One resident said he and his wife have lived in Elmhurst since 1979.
“Let me be blunt: This zoning proposal is an attempt to move low-income housing into a residential neighborhood where the value of properties are in the range of $1 million,” the resident said. “The homeowners that have such significant investments should not see their property values decline because an ADU was erected in proximity to their residence.”
The person added, “I have no problem with ‘who’ moves next to me, if they can afford the property. This is an issue of economics and public safety and quality of life.”
Another resident argued that granny flats destroyed the concept of single-family housing.
“How many, and exactly who, are the people asking for those?” the resident wrote. “Those will destroy the feeling of our neighborhoods if people are allowed to put additional structures on their property… That’s not why people bought in Elmhurst. Do not destroy our town.”
Still another resident said, “If I wanted all this density, I would just move to Chicago.”
Others said granny flats would provide an alternative for those seeking affordable housing.
As of 2022, the median price of a home in Elmhurst was more than $500,000, nearly twice the state’s median, according to U.S. Census figures.
“This would not only provide another housing option to existing residents interested (in downsizing), but also welcome new residents such as young working professionals or seniors looking to move to Elmhurst to be close to family,” one resident said. “It would be a win-win scenario for existing property owners and the business community.”
Another resident said his wife’s parents live in Florida during the winter. The couple would like to build a granny flat to let them stay on their property during the summer.
“That said, we also LOVE this house and our neighborhood, so an ADU would give us the flexibility to continue to be a part of the neighborhood as we get older,” the resident said.
The City Council has set no date for a vote on allowing granny flats.
City officials have acknowledged housing affordability is an issue in town.
In his State of the City address in January, Mayor Scott Levin said he researched homes for sale and found they ranged from $300,000 to $3 million.
“A lot of people say, ‘I hope my kids will move here. They can’t afford it.’ We have people who want to downsize. There aren’t a whole lot of ranches out there that you can downsize and pay $300,000 for,” the mayor said. “I think we’re going to be the biggest boon for Villa Park because that’s where people wind up, being next door to Elmhurst.”
In Villa Park, a median-priced home is $293,400.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.