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🚧 Opposition to proposed Charles Farm project is building
Since officials made preliminary plans public a few weeks ago, the proposed Charles Farm development has rapidly captured community attention.
The 970-acre development west of St. Charles would create nearly 2K new housing units between Route 38 and Keslinger Road.
Recent developments
Concerned citizens and advocacy groups have voiced anxieties about the project.
Getting input: More than 150 people attended a Sep. 4 St. Charles Plan Commission meeting, many bringing signs and buttons conveying opposition to the development.
Resident feedback: Many of the residents who spoke worried that the development would negatively impact their way of life while disrupting businesses, historic districts and the rural charm of the area.
View from Elburn: Village President Jeff Walter expressed doubts as well, suggesting that the connection to St. Charles would be disjointed and lead to confusing district borders.
Meeting recording: You can view the presentation from the Sep. 4 Plan Commission meeting (which ran nearly four hours) in this video, which includes audio of the community feedback referenced above.
In addition, the Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley pointed out that Kane County’s 2040 Plan highlights that preserving the county’s history is critical when considering projects like this. The group wrote:
“The protection of [historic] sites,” the county lays out, “contributes to the important visual characteristics of the area.” Surrounding a Rustic Road and a rural historic district with modern development does not seem to fit with preserving “the important characteristics of the area.” Without a reasonable buffer between the historic and the modern, the rural historical context for which the Brundige Road and the La Fox Historic District were designated would be nearly impossible to comprehend.
Read more about the Preservation Partners’ assessment.
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📰 News to use
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🔒 Mayoral aspirations: After dreaming of the position since he was a kid, retired judge Clint Hull is running for mayor of St. Charles. Here’s his campaign website.
☑️ Bag fee adoption: Batavia is looking to hire a firm to create and launch a public education campaign to raise awareness about its Single Use Bag Fee Program.
☑️ Expanded coverage: The Fox River & Countryside Fire Rescue District (which includes parts of St. Charles, Campton Hills and Wayne) plans to begin constructing a long-awaited third station.
☑️ Local arrest: A 43-year-old St. Charles man was charged with illegal possession of controlled substances and firearms — including machine guns.
☑️ Clean energy: Several Kane County communities recently graduated from the EV Readiness Program, which aims to drive EV adoption and support the rollout of EV charging infrastructure.
☑️ Travel planning: The Batavia Homecoming Parade on Wednesday (9/11) will cause significant traffic delays and temporary road closures.
🏘️ In the community
☑️ Local landmark: The Preservation Partners of the Fox Valley explore the history of St. Charles’ Piano Factory Bridge and assess various options for its rehabilitation.
☑️ Community hot sauce: Did a productive gardening season leave you with a plethora of peppers? Donate them to be a key ingredient in a collaborative hot sauce from Batavia Interfaith Food Pantry and Gindo's Spice of Life.
☑️ Area Code Batavia: Even Batavians who are familiar with the Bulldogs’ football/track coach Dennis Piron will learn something new about the community champion from this insightful conversation.
☑️ Creative opportunity: Illinois is now accepting new state flag design submissions to replace the current flag — perhaps a fun chance for local artists to showcase their skills?
☑️ B-Town blockbuster: Actress Sarah Douglas of "Superman" fame will visit Batavia in October to celebrate Emagine Batavia's anniversary with special events and a screening of "Superman II.”
☑️ Spreading hope: September is Suicide Prevention Month. Local entities are working to raise awareness about the topic, including several public agencies in Geneva and a special initiative from The Graceful Ordinary in partnership with Hope for the Day.
🎸 Live music
Hope everyone enjoyed a beautiful weekend of outdoor live music, including several performances at Festival of the Vine in Geneva.
Here are the mid-week performances for Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles as we enter the second full week of September.
🏬 Local biz
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☑️ Dining addition: It slipped past me when Yatai Japanese Kitchen opened on Fourth Street in Geneva about a month ago, but reviews suggest that locals are loving the new hibachi and seafood spot.
☑️ Native plants: A local environmental group has launched a special online native plant sale that will run through Sep. 20. See how you can build your own garden.
🔒 New pub alert: The restaurant group behind Rookies, Alexander’s Cafe and The Village Squire plans to open Squire Ale House in the former location of The Lodge in Campton Hills.
🗓️ Events & things to do
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☑️️ Eye on Aging | Tues 9/10, 4-7PM | Lincoln Inn Banquets, Batavia | Folks aged 40+ can get resources and info for retirement and future care planning.
☑️️ Taco Tuesday w/ Batavia City Council | Tues 9/10, 5:45PM | Batavia City Hall | Have some tacos while getting to know aldermen and the mayor.
☑️️ 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony | Wed 9/11, 7:30AM | Fire Department Memorial Monument, STC | Annual ceremony featuring a flag posting and moment of silence.
🎟️ Old Elk Bourbon Night | Wed 9/11, 6:30PM | The Lewis, STC | Explore the delightful flavors of Old Elk’s Cask Finished Series.
🎟️ 2024 BPS101 Hall of Honor | Thurs 9/12, 5:45PM | Batavia Fine Arts Centre | Celebrating grads, staff and community members who have made a big positive impact on the district.
☑️️ Mobile DMV | Fri 9/13, 10AM-2PM | Kane County Gov. Center, Geneva | Get help with standard DMV services, obtaining a REAL ID and more.
🎟️ Murder Mystery Dinner | Fri 9/13, 6PM | Copper Fox Geneva | Uncover clues, solve a thrilling mystery and enjoy an incredible meal.
🎟️ Big Bear Walk for Shelters | Sun 9/15, 9-11AM | Batavia Boardwalk Shops | Enjoy a Sunday stroll through the Batavia Riverwalk and raise money to support local animal shelters.
🗞️ Un-classifieds
☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles — including this six-bedroom, $1.2M home on Mathewson Lane in Mill Creek.
☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.
🌖 Weather snapshot
🌤️ Today: High 83F | Low 49F | A bit hazy
🌤️ Tuesday: High 84F | Low 55F | Gorgeous
☀️ Wednesday: High 87F | Low 56F | Seasonably hot
☀️ Thursday: High 90F | Low 60F | May top a record
📖 Thanks for reading
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