Darien Apartment Project Has Some Concerned

DARIEN, IL — Darien city officials say some residents are concerned about a proposed 66-unit apartment complex planned near Lemont and South Frontage roads.

The residents want the developer to stick with the original plans for condos, not apartments. But that is something the city cannot legally regulate.

In 2005, the City Council approved the concept for the condominium complex at 2305 Sokol Court, but the project has yet to happen.

Mount Prospect-based Paul Swanson Associates is making a few changes to the proposal, so it is expected to come before the council again in the next couple of months.

In an interview Tuesday, the developer, Paul Swanson, said the complex will include a four-story building with 66 "luxury" units and a small parking garage. The complex also will feature meeting and exercise rooms, patios and balconies, he said.

Swanson said market conditions guided the switch to apartments.

"I think it will be an asset to the community," Swanson said. "They will be condo quality. They can be converted to condos when the condo market comes back."

At Monday's City Council meeting, Alderwoman Mary Sullivan noted residents are concerned that the plan is changing from condos to apartments.

In interviews Tuesday, both Sullivan and Municipal Services Director Dan Gombac confirmed the city could not regulate whether the units were sold or rented.

Gombac said the proposed changes to the plan were minor.