The Springs Looking to Add Second Nursing Home

Owners of The Springs of Crystal Lake are looking to construct a second nursing home on the property east of Route 31.

The Springs’ existing nursing home is located at 1000 Brighton Lane. The new addition would be constructed on property east of the existing building.

Both sites are near The Fountains independent and assisted living facility at 965 North Brighton Circle West.

In the first phase of The Springs expansion, a new entrance would be constructed to connect the two buildings. New dining, office and activity rooms also would be built followed by the second nursing home, the plans state.

The Springs’ driveway is presently centered between the existing building and the land earmarked for the second nursing home. Developers want to remove that driveway and replace it with a circular drive on the western side of both buildings, according to plans presented to the city.

Representatives for The Springs last week told members of the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission that the nursing home would serve between 60 to 70 occupants. The development requires a special-use permit by the city, and commissioners gave their approval to the project.

At its next meeting on Tuesday, June 19, the city council is expected to vote on the permit request as well as an amendment to the plans needed to build a small storage shed on site to house a bus and lawn mower.

“The demand for this building is definitely there,” The Springs representatives told commissioners. "We are just making better access to it."

The Fountains development originally was approved in 1996 and called Canterbury at the time. Initial plans called for four nursing home buildings connected by one central entrance, city documents state. The Springs once was part of The Fountains development, but now the two are separate entities.

Representatives for The Springs told the commission they must acquire a certificate of need from the State Health and Review Board to add nursing home beds.