Homer Glen residents are interested in a family friendly community gathering place with independently owned restaurants and shops in a future town center.
The Village Board hired The Lakota Group, an urban planning and design firm, in February to gauge residents’ opinions and study market conditions to develop a town center.
The group recently issued its first phase of the report, based on more than 400 community survey responses as well as more than 25 focus groups and one-on-one interviews conducted in-person and through video calls.
The Lakota Group sought out opinions of residents, village staff, elected officials, library and school district leadership, business owners, developers, high school students and senior citizens. Consultants also put up kiosks at the village’s Kite Fest, Homer Fest and stargazing events.
“Everyone we spoke with wants Homer Glen to retain its identity as a small town and its rural character and experience,” the report said. “These are the reasons people choose to live in Homer Glen.”
Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike said she liked the outcome.
“So many people gave their opinions,” Neitzke-Troike said. “It gave myself, the trustees and staff ideas of what residents want. It’s like a new road map to what Homer Glen residents are looking for.”
The report states common themes emerged. Residents want a town center that is first and foremost for Homer Glen residents, but attractive enough for others to visit.
The report said residents want a family friendly environment that allows children to play or explore with some independence. Sidewalk dining in a nice setting that doesn’t face a parking lot or street is desirable, and residents want to have more dining options so they don’t have to leave Homer Glen. The town center should also be unique with independent businesses over chains, the report states.
About 77% of those who responded said they would like to see restaurants or dining in a town center with 25% wanting boutique shopping and 24% liking a coffee shop or cafe.
“We’re tired of always having to shop and dine in surrounding suburbs,” one resident wrote.
Another resident said it would be nice for the village to have “more charm and curb appeal.”
Downtown Lemont was listed as the most popular dining destination for Homer Glen residents.
Naperville, Frankfort and Lemont were among residents’ favorite downtown locales. Residents cited those communities’ features such as walkability, charm and architecture and amenities such as restaurants, mom-and-pop businesses and gathering spaces.
Residents indicated they want the town center to be designed with the environment in mind, maintaining protected open space and including native landscaping, renewable energy and water conservation. Those who opposed the town center feared it would change the small-town, rural character of Homer Glen and increase traffic, the report said.
With a couple of exceptions, residents preferred the town center to be located on 151st Street to create a center of community around the Village Hall and Heritage Park, a community destination for village-sponsored events. Also nearby are the Homer Township offices, the Homer Township Library and sports fields. Residents expressed interest in walking or biking to the town center, which could connect with existing paths and trails.
“Residents want something very different, quaint, rural and charming,” said village Trustee Rose Reynders, who has been researching the creation of a downtown center.
Reynders said The Lakota Group did a great job engaging with the community to come up with the first phase. The group was hired because they understood the village’s vision from the start, she said.
The Lakota Group is still in the early stages of its study, which could wrap up next March, according to its timeline.
Reynders said residents have been asking for a town center as a place they can gather, have a sense of community and support local businesses. She said a town center could be an economic catalyst for business growth.
“We are doing this for the community,” Reynders said. “This is something the community has wanted for a long time.”
According to The Lakota Group, there were a few areas where residents’ thinking was split.
Daily Southtown
Nearly everyone expressed concerns about density, the report said. Some of the people interviewed opposed the inclusion of any housing in a town center because of their preference for larger-lot homes and concern dense housing would add to the population or put stress on the school districts.
Many residents could accept a modest increase in housing density, but opinions varied, the report said. Some residents favored small-lot homes while others found town houses acceptable. There was a near universal opposition to rental apartments, according to the report.
Residents who opposed the town center said they wanted to keep Homer Glen rural and maintain its existing, unique style.
“Keep our town simple, clean and uncrowded,” one resident wrote.
Another resident wrote the study was a waste of time, effort and money, while another resident said it would be difficult to create a downtown in a community in which a downtown did not naturally develop.
Neitzke-Troike, who said she likes the look and feel of Frankfort’s downtown, said one of the important issues is that no taxpayer funds are used to develop it. Developers and private investors are welcome to use their own funds to create the town center, she said.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.