At Tuesday, Aug. 25’s City Council Meeting, the Aurora City Council approved a first-of-its-kind housing proposal that is set to implement the energy efficiency targets of the 2026 Illinois Stretch Energy Code without any City incentives.
The “Kingsley Row” subdivision, planned for construction by M/I Homes near the intersection of Ogden Avenue (U.S. Route 34) and 75th Street, will exceed standard base building codes, prioritizing energy efficiency and a reduction in environmental impact. By conforming to energy efficiency standards of the Stretch Code, each home built will use less energy for heating, cooling, and lighting, plus improve indoor air quality and occupant health.
Development on this strategic parcel of land has been nearly 30 years in the making. The land was initially annexed by the City in 1998 to serve an auto/commercial purpose. In 2019, a redevelopment agreement was reached with a company proposing an assisted living facility, independent living facility, and other commercial use project with the help of Tax Increment Financing (TIF). The City had planned to provide $7 to $9 million toward infrastructure improvements surrounding the development. The deal later fell through, and the land continued to sit on the market until M/I Homes proposed “Kingsley Row.”
The new redevelopment agreement permits M/I Homes to build 185 units consisting of three different designs: the “Madison,” which serves as a three-story interior townhome, the “Pearson,” which is a three-story end townhome, and the “Taylor,” or a raised ranch end townhome. M/I Homes will also construct three stormwater management facilities to provide sufficient stormwater storage for the subdivision, as well as complete the Commons Drive extension project. This will extend Commons Drive from Ogden Avenue to 75th Street, connecting the existing north and south segments of the roadway. The connection will add a three-land cross-section with dedicated right and left turn lanes at Ogden Avenue and dual left turn lanes at 75th Street.
M/I Homes is fully paying for the extension project, which aligns with the City’s Illinois Route 59 Corridor Study and establishes significant commercial growth opportunities in the immediate five-mile radius surrounding the property.
As part of the development, both the City and M/I Homes have committed to working together to construct the townhomes in a manner that promotes sustainability and the protection of the environment and natural resources. M/I Homes has pledged to pursue a high-performance Energy Rating Index (ERI) pathway, with a pre-construction modeling score of less than 40 and a verified post-construction score of 43 or lower. This coincides with the company’s plan to ensure that the new homes comply with energy efficiency targets of the 2026 Illinois Energy Stretch Code.
As part of implementing the new code, M/I Homes is projecting that each unit will cost $8,000 to $10,000 more to construct. In order to help cover these costs, the City continues to offer the “Choose Aurora Homebuyer Assistance Program,” which provides up to $20,000 in the form of a zero percent interest deferred loan, up to a $5,000 closing cost grant, and up to a $2,000 minor repair grant for homebuyers who are at or below 120 percent of the area’s median income. Townhomes and new construction homes within City limits are eligible to be part of the program. These upfront extra costs are also expected to decrease the cost of rising utility bills, leading to long-term savings for residents of the new development.
“This is a revolutionary new development that balances responsible economic development with long-term City sustainability goals,” Mayor John Laesch said. “I appreciate the work of M/I Homes and City staff to be on the cutting edge of new residential construction standards, while bolstering the City’s economic activity along the critical Ogden Avenue and Illinois Route 59 corridor.”.
—City of Aurora government