Pulte Homes' plan to build 94 duplexes on 32 acres of forested land along 75th Street won a 4-2 recommendation from the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission on Wednesday, June 3.

The site sits between the single-family Cobblebrook Crossing subdivision in Naperville and the Thornberry Woods apartment complex in Woodridge. The DuPage Water Commission declared the unincorporated parcel surplus in 2025 and agreed to sell it to Pulte for $14 million. Two 155-foot water towers on a separate 5-acre parcel at the northeast corner will remain under commission ownership.

Pulte is marketing Naperville Ridge as low-maintenance housing for empty-nesters looking to downsize. Project attorney Caitlin Csuk told commissioners that 55% of the land would stay open space, preserving roughly 11 acres of wetlands.

"We're making preservation of the critical wetlands the absolute highest priority," Csuk said.

Neighbors from the adjacent Waynewood subdivision pushed back hard. Otto Guedelhoefer, who has lived next to the property for 40 years, told commissioners three duplex buildings totaling six units would back up directly to his lot. Thomas Frost, also of Waynewood, called the project "exactly the kind of sharp, incompatible change that zoning codes are designed to prevent."

Opponents cited wetland disturbance, tree loss, density incompatible with surrounding large-lot homes, and traffic concerns. DuPage County Board member Lucy Chang Evans, whose District 3 includes the property, clarified that the land is not a forest preserve, as some neighbors had claimed. She noted the site could have been used for an industrial water treatment facility had the water commission not purchased land elsewhere.

Pulte revised its plans before the hearing to eliminate a proposed access road from 77th Street on the south side. Resident vehicle access will come only from 75th Street; an emergency-only lane will remain for first responders. The developer is also seeking permission for an eight-foot perimeter fence along some sections, two feet taller than the city's standard limit.

The $14 million purchase price includes an escalator clause: Pulte pays the DuPage Water Commission an additional $233,000 for every lot approved beyond 60. With 94 duplexes now recommended, that clause could add roughly $7.9 million to the sale price.

The City Council must still approve annexation into Naperville and rezoning to R2, a low-density multifamily district. No council hearing date has been announced.