O’Fallon cited for its efforts to support walkability in its neighborhoods

O’Fallon is being touted for its innovative “15-Minute City” concept that is designed to support walkability in its neighborhoods.

The city was among four spotlighted for their efforts in addressing the current effects surrounding global climate change in a televised news special, and the only downstate one included.

Evanston, Naperville, and Chicago were also part of NBC 5 Chicago’s half-hour special on April 20 that was the second part of their “Global Climate, Local Impact” report.

News anchor/reporter Kate Chappell talked with Mayor Herb Roach, City Administrator Walter Denton, and residents while filming in town for several days.

“The news story turned out well. We were contacted by the reporter because they were doing a segment on climate change and somehow found out about our Master Plan,” Denton said.

“Our Master Plan does not specifically emphasize climate change, but there is a consistent thread about the city operating in an efficient and sustainable way,” he said.

The city’s Master Plan 2040, intended to build on the community’s success for future generations, was adopted in February 2022. It mapped out long-term strategies, including the urban planning concept called “15-Minute City.”

Originated in Paris, France, this neighborhood concept provides residents with necessities of life, such as shops, schools, parks, leisure options, church, and health care, all within a 15-mile radius by foot or bike.

This is to boost the “fewer cars, less emissions” mindset. Before the 2040 Master Plan was adopted, the city conducted surveys and meetings for 18 months, and 1,700 residents provided input on housing, parks, transportation, and other services and amenities.

“The primary message we heard from residents was they want O’Fallon to be welcoming and accessible. They love the quality of life that is offered in O’Fallon and want that to continue so they can identify with O’Fallon as a place they are proud to call home,” Denton said.

“The 15-Minute City concept focuses on the community as human-scaled and pedestrian-friendly. This corresponds with O’Fallon residents’ feedback on connecting, welcoming, and place-making,” he said.

The in-depth analysis included what type of businesses should be developed, what neighborhoods should look like, and how much green space the city should have.

“When we met with residents, they consistently said they wanted O’Fallon to be walkable, and they wanted to be able to get to places easily by walking and biking. Our first priority has been to find ways to connect public facilities -- parks, schools, trails, etc.,” he said.

“The second piece is to create mixed-use spaces where people have close access to other amenities such as cafes, shops, and other stores. After we collected this feedback from residents, we later discovered that their input reflects the 15-minute city concept,” Denton noted.

Projects that seek city approval are reviewed by the Community Development Department with this focus of furthering the master plan’s vision. The diversity of housing stock has been emphasized as well.

Community Development Director Justin Randall said the project team researched data and trends to develop an understanding of the town’s history and current environment.

Maintaining a “small town feel” where residents feel safe to raise their families and walk or bicycle around town was frequently mentioned, Randall said.

“People want a safe community that provides diversity, quality housing options, and social opportunities, including such amenities as great parks, trails, recreation, and community events,” he said.

“We talked about creating neighborhoods with access to that type of feeling, where residents, when they were kids, would ride their bikes to places. They could walk, get a cup of coffee, sit down with neighbors. That was the biggest concept, to have a sense of comfort,” Randall said.

The city is early in the process, but an increase in townhouses is evident.

“One of the concepts is to provide housing options for people from all ages and income levels. The townhouses on North Lincoln are an example of this. There was some resistance to the project when it was going through the city council, but I think most agree now that it is a positive addition to the neighborhood,” Denton said.

In the summer of 2022, developer Alex Young redesigned his multi-family housing proposal for the former O’Fallon City Cleaners location at 313 N. Lincoln to be two three-family townhomes, for a total of six units, and would have a ‘cottage’ feel.

They are two stories, 1,600 square feet and have three bedrooms and two bathrooms, along with a private front porch and a back patio. Completed and leased, The Uptown Lofts on Lincoln are located on the southwest corner of North Lincoln Avenue and West Jefferson Street, just north of the Downtown District.

Randall said Brandywine has a townhome development, but also has commercial approval, and they are constructing a shared use path throughout the development too.

Brandywine Garden Villas has four lots with two commercial opportunities, a memory care facility, and the anchoring townhome villa development. Across 26 acres, the residential development will encompass 174 single-story attached villas (4-6 per total structure) equipped with two bedrooms and two bathrooms and will range in size from 1,330 to 1,625 square feet.

These are just two of the recent developments. Seven luxury townhomes at State and Cherry have been completed, a joint project between developer Salvatore Cincotta and builder Jeff Holland. Each 1,653 square-feet unit includes a two-car garage, three bedrooms and two and one-half baths, and nine-foot ceilings on the first floor.

The mayor said offering housing for people beginning families to those ready for retirement is important.

Based on the 2020 U.S. census, O’Fallon is now the fastest growing city in Southern Illinois with a population of 32,289, which was a 14.1% increase.

Over the past years, O’Fallon has turned from a bedroom community into a hub of economic activity, jobs, and family friendly amenities, Roach said.

The last Master Plan update was in 2006.

Denton said the addition of the HSHS-St. Elizabeth’s medical campus and the growth of Scott Air Force Base helped galvanize O’Fallon’s future.

The city’s marketing has brought in operations and interest from businesses that have never been in the St. Louis market and/or Illinois,” he said.

Founded in 1854, O’Fallon started as a railroad stop and coal mining community over 166 years ago and has transformed over the years. By 1870, its population was 1,117. One hundred years later, it had grown to 7,868.

O’Fallon experienced rapid growth in the 1980s, with its westward expansion, and had 12,173 at the start of the decade. In 1990, the population grew to 16,073. With Interstate 64’s expansion, the city counted 21,910 people by 2000.

To review the 2040 Master Plan, visit: https://www.ofallon.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif1031/f/uploads/2040_master_plan_final.pdf