Rowhouse Project at Benton and Main Approved by Naperville Council

Despite some neighbor pushback, the development will move forward with 11 rowhouses on the site.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The Naperville City Council has approved plans for a new rowhouse development called Benton + Main at the northwest corner of Benton Avenue and Main Street in downtown Naperville. The project, proposed by M/I Homes of Chicago, will include 11 rowhouses on a little over three-quarters of an acre of land. While some neighbors raised concerns about the project's height, density, and lack of green space, the council ultimately approved the development, citing its proximity to the Metra station and alignment with the city's vision for the transitional use zoning district.

Why it matters

This project represents the ongoing evolution of downtown Naperville, as the city looks to balance new higher-density residential development with the existing single-family homes in the area. The approval highlights the tensions that can arise between developers and neighbors when it comes to the scale and design of new projects, particularly in transitional zones between commercial and residential areas.

The details

The Benton + Main development will feature four duplex and seven townhome units, totaling 11 rowhouses. M/I Homes requested several municipal code variances related to height, density, rear yard occupancy, streetscape, and setbacks, which drew criticism from some nearby residents. Neighbors argued the project was too dense for the site and did not fit the character of the surrounding area, but the council ultimately sided with the developer, citing the site's proximity to the Metra station and the city's vision for higher-density uses in the transitional zoning district.

  • The Naperville City Council approved the Benton + Main project at its meeting on February 24, 2026.

The players

M/I Homes of Chicago

The developer proposing the Benton + Main rowhouse project.

Calvary Temple Church of Naperville

The previous property owner that demolished a church and two homes on the site before selling the land to M/I Homes.

Russ Whitaker

An attorney representing M/I Homes.

Chris Carlsen

A Franklin Avenue resident who criticized the development for having "too many units on too small a site."

Brian Davis

A North Main Street resident who opposed the project's proposed 46-foot height and 11-foot setback from his property line.

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What they’re saying

“The neighborhood is not asking for a cancellation of the project, just changes to the design to bring it in line with beauty qualifications and transitional use zoning.”

— Chris Carlsen, Franklin Avenue resident (chicagotribune.com)

“As proposed, my family would be faced with a wall 46 feet high. Additionally, the project's proposed setback would be 11 feet from my property line. I do not want neighbors peering down on top of us.”

— Brian Davis, North Main Street resident (chicagotribune.com)

“This is very walkable to the No. 2 most used Metra station in Chicagoland. Adding homes in a transit friendly, walkable area near downtown tends to bring residents who are walking more places, using their cars less, more connected to the neighborhood on foot, patronizing local shops and restaurants, making our downtown more vibrant.”

— Ian Holzhauer, Naperville City Councilman (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The developer, M/I Homes, will now move forward with the construction of the 11 rowhouse units at the Benton + Main site in downtown Naperville.

The takeaway

This project highlights the ongoing tension between developers and residents when it comes to the scale and design of new housing developments, especially in transitional areas between commercial and residential zones. While the council ultimately approved the Benton + Main project, the concerns raised by neighbors about height, density, and lack of green space underscore the need for careful planning and community input to balance the interests of all stakeholders.