Subdivision may be built on site of rejected Naperville data center

After months of debate, the Naperville City Council rejected a proposal by Karis Critical to build a data center on a 35-acre parcel near Warrenville and Naperville roads in January. The data center was met with significant opposition from neighboring property owners and residents who raised concerns about health and quality of life. Now, property owner and developer Franklin 1960 Lucent Lane LLC, in partnership with Pulte Homes, has submitted a new proposal for a 262-unit townhouse/rowhouse development on the same site, part of the former Alcatel-Lucent campus. Attorney Peter Friedman, representing Franklin, stated that the property owner's priority is to find the highest and best use for the land under city zoning regulations, especially after the data center's rejection. The developer is seeking to rezone the parcel from office, research, and light industry to medium-density multifamily use. Initial feedback from the city's Transportation, Engineering and Development department was positive, suggesting that the residential development would better integrate with the I-88 corridor's office and research character. Naperville City Council members, including Councilman Patrick Kelly and Mayor Scott Wehrli, expressed support for the residential plan, which aligns with the neighborhood's previous sentiments against the data center, though some minor suggestions were made regarding amenities and design elements. Neighbors who previously opposed the data center also voiced support for the residential development.