L
ennar is planning a 584-home development in McHenry, a northwest Chicago suburb that has lacked major single-family housing proposals for two decades. The Miami-based homebuilder aims to build on 304 acres at Bull Valley and Curran Roads, where the land was annexed into McHenry in 2005 but remained undeveloped. Plans include two- and three-bedroom homes with garages priced between $200,000 and $400,000, along with parks, detention ponds, and courts for bocce and pickleball. About 30% of the acreage will be dedicated to green space.

    Some aldermen expressed concerns about noise from pickleball courts and potential high maintenance costs associated with a proposed clubhouse. In another proposal, VIK Remodel plans to redevelop the former First Midwest Bank building into 28 apartments with commercial space on the ground floor, seeking $2.5 million in tax-increment financing. However, council members were hesitant due to concerns over the requested amount.

    McHenry County is experiencing growth, particularly in areas like Wonder Lake, which saw a 23% population increase between 2020 and 2023. Despite this, the Chicago metro area as a whole is losing residents.