Residents of the 6th Ward spoke out Wednesday about possible changes in their community.

More than 50 residents of the Knolls and Devonaire Farms communities along Annie Glidden Road were invited to a special meeting by DeKalb 6th Ward Alderman David Baker. The meeting was set at the Sept. 8 DeKalb City Council meeting after the residents of the two communities expressed strong opposition to the Candlewood Suites hotel that was proposed to move to a lot adjacent to the Knolls.

Baker said since the Sept. 8 meeting, Candlewood Suites has pulled out of their bid for that location. The company is now interested in a location in Sycamore. DeKalb City Planner Derek Hiland said the property, currently owned by Jim Mason, is a light commercial zone. meaning Mason can sell the property to any developer that wants to build within those limitations and the city would not have any control over who buys it. If the property were rezoned, the city would have some control over what the developer did with the lot.

DeKalb City Manager Mark Biernacki said the recent construction in the area is the result of a few projects that are in the works for the area around Schnucks.

“There are plans for Schnucks to have a gas station out in front,” Biernacki said. “We also approved a Fifth Third Bank going at that corner.”

Construction is currently stalled in that location.

“What’s occurring right now is developers found a vein of black earth fairly deep and you can’t build on black earth,” Biernacki said. “They are excavating the earth and building in a clay base so that they can make that pad a development site.”

Baker added the problem of getting businesses into the city is not a problem that is specific to DeKalb. He said the whole country is having hard times financially, so it may be hard to get businesses that the residents really want to move into these lots.

“Basically my concern is that there’s very few things out there, retailers or developments or chain stores, that are doing anything but sitting on their hands right now,” Baker said. “That’s an indication of the climate across the country, not just what we might be able to do.”

The people attending the meeting also discussed speed limit issues in the communities. An overwhelming majority of the attendees were in favor of having a uniform 25-mph speed limit throughout the Knolls and Devonaire Farms communities. The proposal will be brought to city council in ordinance form.

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