No Major Changes To Controverial Darien Apartment Plan: Official

DARIEN, IL – A Darien alderwoman said Tuesday that some of her constituents believed the developer of a proposed apartment complex has made major changes to the plan.

A city official responded that wasn't the case.

At a City Council meeting, Alderwoman Mary Sullivan said constituents have emailed and called her about the planned complex in southwest Darien.

"I know that the homeowners groups were looking to be kept in the loop," Sullivan said.

Last year, a divided City Council approved the complex at the southeast corner of South Frontage Road and Sokol Court, east of the Extended Stay America hotel. Sullivan voted against it.

At the meeting, Dan Gombac, the city's municipal services director, said Darien was about to issue a building permit. He said a fee needed to be paid and a plat recorded.

"Everything else is all really set to go," Gombac said.

He said the city could put the homeowners association representatives in contact with South Barrington-based The Jade Group, which is developing the complex.

As for changes to the project, Gombac said the height and the units are the same. He said the developer had planned to consult with neighbors about the color schematics.

"Whether that comes to fruition, we really don't get involved in that portion of it," Gombac said.

During the zoning hearings, Paul Swanson of the firm, Mount Prospect-based Paul Swanson Associates, was the public face of the project. Now, The Jade Group is taking the lead.

City officials said The Jade Group has been involved all along. But the apparent change in the spokesman has led to some confusion, Sullivan said.

Last month, The Jade Group told Patch it was planning a groundbreaking ceremony for Sept. 15. A partner later said the firm would only begin the project after the city approved the permit.

In May 2021, the council voted 4-3 for the project. This was after the Planning and Zoning Commission voted 7-1 against it.

Neighbors expressed opposition to the project. It is called The Jade Residences of Waterfall Glen and is expected to cost $15.3 million.

The debate over the project was heated, with at least a couple of aldermen upset over written comments they deemed derogatory toward renters. One said some comments came off as racist and classist.

During public input at a council meeting, residents said the four-story building was too large for the property in question. They also objected to the proposed building's height, its closeness to a children's park and the effects on drainage.

The neighbors rejected suggestions that their opposition was rooted in racism or classism.