Proposed Hinsdale Senior Complex Draws Criticism

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale's village president expressed concern Tuesday with the latest proposal for a retiree development in north Hinsdale, citing density and traffic as problems.

Minneapolis-based Ryan Companies is now proposing a 245-unit development at Ogden Avenue and Adams Street, down from the 267 in the plan last fall. Then, the Village Board gave the project negative feedback, so the developer withdrew its proposal.

The senior development would be at the local site of the Texas-based Institute of Basic Life Principles, which plans to sell the property. On another part of the property, Burr Ridge-based McNaughton Development has proposed houses, but its plan received criticism from the board in May. McNaughton's owner said he would consider offering a new plan.

Both developers' projects have attracted strong opposition from neighbors.

At its next meeting, the Village Board is set to vote whether to refer the plan for the retiree complex to the Plan Commission, which would hold public hearings.

During Tuesday's meeting, David Erickson, a Ryan Companies executive, made the case for the project. He said his company would donate land to the village for a park, which would be the only one north of Ogden.

"That's a big public benefit," he said.

He also noted the institute is a nonprofit, so it pays no property taxes. However, Ryan Companies, a for-profit, was estimated to pay $20 million in property taxes to local school districts over the next couple of decades.

Village President Tom Cauley said he would prefer the project was 200 units, rather than 245. He said he didn't think that request would kill the plan.

"These guys at IBLP are sitting down in Texas. They put a price that they gave Dave (Erickson), and Dave had to build something that gets a profit for him," Cauley said. "And if we say no to Dave, he goes back to them in Texas and says they won't take it, (so) reduce the price. If they reduce the price, Dave comes back to us with 200 units, and we say OK. That's the way it always works. I've been doing this, sadly, for 12 years."

Trustee Scott Banke said he agreed with Cauley about 200 units. And he said the traffic issue was a big problem.

"It's a nonstarter for me," he said.

Cauley said he would like the developer to get an agreement with the state Department of Transportation for a middle lane on Ogden, so people can safely turn left onto Adams.

"I live in that area. I avoid that intersection. No one turns left in their right mind. You have to be visiting before you make that stupid move," Cauley said. "At Adams, you have to close your eyes and hit the gas pedal and hope it all works out."

Under the village code, the property in question is zoned for facilities for government agencies and nonprofit groups, which would be the type of dense development that neighbors oppose. But Cauley said the possibility of such development should not scare the village.

"I really truly believe the government building is a bogeyman," he said. "I don't see a DMV going there. I don't see a zoo going there. I don't see a museum going there. I don't see a church going there. I don't see a mosque going there. I think to the extent that the trustees are afraid of what's going to be built there, I just think that's a bogeyman. I don't see it."

Cauley and other trustees said a retiree complex would be an appropriate use for the property. But some sounded more positive.

"I love the park and the idea of senior living and the money that goes to the schools and the little bit to the village," Trustee Neale Byrnes said. "The other side is density and traffic.

Trustee Laurel Harlowe said senior living is "quite possibly a really strong use." She said she doubted large single-family houses would be built on the institute's property.