Oswego OKs annexation agreement for 320-unit residential development – Chicago Tribune

Polo Crossing Development: A Report on Sustainable Community Planning in Oswego

1.0 Introduction and Project Approval

The Oswego Village Board has approved an annexation agreement and rezoning for the Polo Crossing mixed-use residential development. The project, proposed by The Drake Group, is situated on an 80-acre site in unincorporated Kendall County. This report analyzes the development’s scope, features, and significant contributions to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2.0 Project Overview and Housing Diversity

The Polo Crossing development is designed to align with Oswego’s comprehensive plan by introducing greater housing diversity, a key component of inclusive community development.

• Developer: The Drake Group
• Location: South of the intersection of Secretariat Lane and Wolf’s Crossing, Oswego
• Total Units: 320
• Housing Mix:
  1. 120 single-family homes
  2. 200 townhomes
• Design Philosophy: A community-specific design, avoiding a “cut and paste” template, to create a cohesive neighborhood with an integrated street network.

3.0 Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The project demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable development principles, directly addressing multiple SDGs through its planning, design, and financial commitments.

3.1 SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Polo Crossing is fundamentally aligned with SDG 11 by promoting inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban development.

• Inclusive Housing (Target 11.1): The provision of 320 “middle market” units addresses the need for diverse and accessible housing options within the village.
• Green Public Spaces (Target 11.7): The development includes a 4-acre park, a community clubhouse, and a swimming pool, providing residents with access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and recreational spaces.
• Integrated Community Planning: The revised plan features a “less linear and softer design” that integrates neighborhoods and promotes a cohesive community structure.

3.2 SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

The development makes a substantial contribution to the region’s long-term water security, directly supporting SDG 6.

• Investment in Water Infrastructure (Target 6.1): The project will contribute $1.6 million in fees, including newly-adopted water tap-on fees, to fund Oswego’s future connection to Lake Michigan water.
• Sustainable Water Management: The site plan was re-engineered to accommodate the DuPage Water Commission’s transmission main, demonstrating responsible integration with regional water infrastructure.

3.3 SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

By focusing on housing diversity, the project contributes to reducing inequalities within the community.

• Equitable Housing Access (Target 10.2): The introduction of varied housing types, including single-family homes and townhomes, promotes social and economic inclusion by catering to a wider range of residents and income levels.

3.4 Additional SDG Contributions

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The provision of parks and recreational facilities encourages an active lifestyle and community engagement, promoting physical and mental well-being.
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): The project will stimulate local economic growth through construction jobs and its contribution to major infrastructure projects like the widening of Wolf’s Crossing.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): The successful negotiation and approval process between The Drake Group and the Oswego Village Board exemplifies a public-private partnership for achieving sustainable development objectives.

4.0 Board Considerations and Approval

The annexation and rezoning were approved by a majority vote of the Village Board. A concern was raised by one trustee regarding the density of a portion of the development, specifically the 10-foot spacing between some smaller lot homes. However, the overall project was viewed favorably by village leadership for its comprehensive benefits.

5.0 Conclusion

The Polo Crossing development represents a significant step for Oswego in achieving its strategic goals for housing diversity and infrastructure improvement. Its alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in creating sustainable communities (SDG 11) and ensuring clean water access (SDG 6), positions it as a forward-thinking project that contributes to the long-term economic and social well-being of the village.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the Polo Crossing development in Oswego touches upon several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to urban development, infrastructure, water management, and community planning. The following SDGs are most relevant:

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – The article explicitly mentions the development’s connection to a major water infrastructure project.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – The project involves the development of essential local infrastructure, including roads and water systems.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – This is the most prominent SDG, as the entire article focuses on a new residential development, housing diversity, community planning, and public spaces.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The article highlights the collaboration between a private developer and the local government to achieve the project’s objectives.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the details provided, several specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 11.1: Ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
   • The article focuses on the construction of “320 housing units,” including “120 single-family homes and 200 townhomes.” The proposal specifically aims to provide “‘middle market’ housing that is specified in the village’s comprehensive plan to generate more housing diversity,” directly addressing the need for varied and accessible housing options.
2. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management.
   • The article describes a formal planning process involving The Drake Group (developer), Schoppe Design Associates (planning firm), the Oswego Planning and Zoning Commission, and the Oswego Village Board. The approval process, including a trustee voting against the plan due to concerns about housing density (“I am completely against having 10 feet in between homes”), demonstrates a participatory, though not unanimous, approach to settlement planning.
3. Target 11.7: Provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces.
   • The development plan includes significant public amenities. The article states, “The developers have proposed a 4-acre park, community clubhouse and swimming pool as part of the project,” which directly contributes to creating accessible green and recreational public spaces for the new community.
4. Target 6.1: Achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all.
   • The project is linked to a major water initiative. The developer will pay “$1.6 million” in “newly-created water tap-on fees” to address “costs associated with the future Lake Michigan water connection for Oswego.” This shows a direct contribution to expanding and securing a safe water source for the community.
5. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure.
   • The development contributes to improving local infrastructure. The Village President notes that the developers are “helping us push forward our timeline of widening Wolf’s Crossing by years.” This, along with the re-engineering to accommodate the “DuPage Water Commission transmission main,” points to the development of resilient transport and water infrastructure.
6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.
   • The entire project is an example of a public-private partnership. The collaboration between The Drake Group (a private company) and the Oswego Village Board (a public governing body) to develop housing and infrastructure for the community exemplifies this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article contains several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 11.1 (Housing): The number of new housing units created, which is specified as “320 housing units.” A qualitative indicator is the type of housing provided (“single-family homes,” “townhomes,” and “‘middle market’ housing”) to measure the goal of increasing “housing diversity.”
• Indicator for Target 11.7 (Public Space): The total area of public green space created, which is explicitly stated as a “4-acre park.” The provision of a “community clubhouse and swimming pool” also serves as an indicator of new recreational facilities.
• Indicator for Target 6.1 (Water Access): The financial investment towards water infrastructure, which is quantified as “$1.6 million” in “water tap-on fees” contributed to the “Lake Michigan water connection.”
• Indicator for Target 9.1 (Infrastructure): A qualitative indicator for transport infrastructure is the acceleration of the road-widening project, as the development is “pushing forward our timeline of widening Wolf’s Crossing by years.”
• Indicator for Target 11.3 (Planning): The existence of a formal, multi-stakeholder approval process involving a Planning and Zoning Commission and a Village Board vote serves as an indicator of integrated human settlement planning.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: chicagotribune.com