Developer Hopes to Revive Plainfield's Fairfield Ridge Project

Nine years after it was approved, there remain just six homeowners in Plainfield's Fairfield Ridge development — but a new developer is looking to change that.

On Monday, trustees OK'd a proposal from developer K. Hovanian to go back to the original plan of building single-family homes — as opposed to a mix of single-family, duplexes and townhomes — in the subdivision, located off Van Dyke Road, north of Lockport Street.

The project was first approved as a 72-single-family home development in 2005. Three years later, the village board allowed then-developer McNaughton Homes to change it to a total of 12 detached lots, 52 duplexes and 69 townhomes.

But with a stagnant housing market and crumbling economy, McNaughton never proceeded with the new plan, and the property was taken back by the lender.

Enter K. Hovanian, which won approval Monday to build 70 single-family units in the development.

A rep for the developer told officials that the company has been in talks with existing homeowners regarding their plans for moving the project forward.

"The last thing they want is six disgruntled homeowners," he said.

Plainfield trustees were pleased to see the return to the original, single-family concept.

"I"m happy to see it as a single-family development again," trustee Margie Bonuchi said. "I think it fits the development area you're trying to work in."

"They were sitting in a dead investment," trustee Jim Racich said of the current Fairfield Ridge residents. "I want to see this developed."

Noting the subdivision's proximity to downtown Plainfield, trustee Bill Lamb urged the developers to adhere to quality design standards.

"We need to make sure that whatever we do there comes about well," he said.

According to the company, home prices will range from the mid-$200,000s, to the $400,000 range. In addition to the single-family homes, the project calls for development of a park site.