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About a month after it stalled, the Shops at Pheasant Run redevelopment proposal is moving again.
The St. Charles Committee of the Whole voted 6-3 on Sept. 21 to recommend approval of a revised plan for the 33.7-acre east-side site. According to city officials, it was the sixth time the project has been discussed.
The plan now heads to the City Council for a final vote.
Here's what to know:
Ready to move forward: Some supporters said the project will build on the momentum of projects like Fox Haven Square, spurring commerce and development. Another noted the land is contaminated from past use and privately owned, arguing that rejecting the plan would delay redevelopment and possibly lead the owner to sell it off.
Against the plan: Opponents said the project doesn't deliver the unique east-side "gateway" residents want. One alderperson noted the city has received more than 110 letters from residents. Most of the residents who spoke at the meeting opposed the project, citing the number of drive-thrus, potential truck fueling, and lack of pedestrian friendliness.
A dealership, not a truck stop: Gary McGrath of McGrath Automotive Group said his family is pursuing a new car dealership, not planning a truck stop. The original proposal explicitly allowed a 24-hour truck stop. Now, if the lot in question ever became a gas station, it would be limited to three truck fueling spots, with no truck parking or overnight amenities.
Limits on drive-thrus and car washes: The revised plan allows six drive-thrus, while the original proposal had no limit. The plans show five, including Chase Bank, Dutch Bros Coffee, and Valvoline, and any more would require council approval. Car washes would be banned on most of the site but could be requested as a special use on three of the lots.
City documents show that four lots in the center of the site would be off-limits to drive-thrus for 30 months so the developer can pursue tenants like a grocery store, gym, or entertainment venue.
The developer, Vequity, has agreed to cap its tax increment financing (TIF) request at $3.5 million, which will be handled in a separate vote.
The property is the last undeveloped piece of the former Pheasant Run Resort, at the southeast corner of E. Main Street and Kautz Road. The resort closed in 2020, was hit by fires in 2022 and 2023, and its remaining buildings were torn down in 2024.
Learn more from this agenda document (page 62) and watch the full meeting recording.
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