Residents Again Debate Senior Housing Project

Residents neighboring a proposed senior housing development continued to voice their opposition Monday night during a public hearing, saying a 3-acre lot near isn't the best location for the project.

The New Lenox Plan Commission voted 4-1 last month to recommend granting a special use for the lot just south of the Speedway gas station. On Monday, the Village Board continued the public hearing regarding an annexation agreement for the property.

For several meetings, residents in the adjacent Water Chase subdivision have taken aim at numerous issues with the plan, including its location, density and how maintenance and age restriction would be managed.

The three-story building would have 50 units, all of which would require that all tenants are 62 or older. The units would also be income restricted.

What were residents upset with? Read "'" to find out.

The residents have done their homework, presenting posters, photos and PowerPoint presentations to the board that cited upkeep of property, language in the annexation agreement and existing village code.

However, Mayor Tim Baldermann said that while he understands the concerns of the Water Chase residents, the village must primarily consider whether the project complies with zoning and code.

"You have the luxury of being able to make your comments based on emotion," Baldermann said. "The board does not have that luxury. There are laws we have to follow and there are ordinances we have to follow. Know that we have to look at it from a different angle as well."

One such concern is that the senior housing could have a negative impact on the property values and recent success of building. There were 23 homes built in that subdivision in 2011, Water Chase developer Shawn O’Malley said.

“It’s going to affect us detrimentally,” he said. “I think it’s going to affect our pace of building in there.”

One of the concerns voiced by residents that some board members echoed was the density of the property, which would have 50 units on 3 acres. Developer William Bolker has already cut down the amount of units considerably, but that will be discussed further by the board.

"There’s an extreme need for senior housing in New Lenox," Bolker said. "I think we can deliver a very beautiful building for our community. I think the site is one of the better sites right now."

Bolker also clarified during the meeting that no federal tax money would be used to finance the project; instead, the private companies funding the project would receive federal tax credits. To receive those credits, though, the project must meet certain Fair Housing Act and IRS standards that include the age and income restrictions.

"Because of that, the developer has to borrow less, which keeps the cost of the project down and keeps the rent down," village planning administrator Robin Ellis said.

Baldermann asked Ellis for a summary of the meeting that provided answers to some of the questions board members and residents had. Ellis said additional language must also be added to shore up the age restriction.

The Village Board will discuss the project again at a future meeting depending on when that language is added to the annexation agreement.