Senior Housing Near Berkot's? Residents, Developer Debate

A proposed senior housing development near Calistoga Plaza in New Lenox received backlash from village staff and nearby residents Tuesday night, but the developer hopes to come back with an improved plan.

New Lenox developer William Bolker hopes to build an age- and income-restricted housing complex on 3 acres just east of the commercial development that includes .

During a Plan Commission meeting Tuesday, village staff did not recommend approval for the plans, primarily because of ongoing issues with the number of parking spaces and open space for the seniors.

"This plan does not creatively and efficiently utilize this property," village planner Jeff Smith said. "The seniors need an opportunity to be outside. That’s very minimal in this plan. These are all quality of life concerns we have and feel this plan is not enough."

Bolker said he plans to submit new designs to the village and return for another public hearing at the next Plan Commission meeting, which is Feb. 21.

The revised plans will reduce the number of units in the building to 50, allowing for fewer parking spaces (100 total) and more recreational space, on which Bolker said he hopes to build a large patio area and possibly a nine-hole putting green.

Twelve of the units would be two bedrooms and the rest would be one bedroom. All residents must be at least 62 years old. Bolker presented a letter from New Lenox Township Supervisor Bill McCollum, who supported the plan.

The township's senior living facility has been at capacity since opening and has at least 70 residents on the waiting list, which Bolker said he'd like to get so people from New Lenox could possibly live in this new development.

"We think it’s going to be an ideal place for our senior citizens," Bolker said. "As a lifelong resident in New Lenox, I know this has long been waited for. They’re very nice. I’d live in one myself."

Residents in the Water Chase subdivision, which is just to the east, weren’t as happy with the chosen location. During the public comments, six residents spoke against the plan and more were in attendance.

They worried about lighting in the parking lot having an adverse affect on their homes, the fact that the building is three stories and how maintenance and landscaping would be handled. They also asked whether potential renters would receive criminal background checks and worried about the impact it could have on new building in the incomplete subdivision.

Others were concerned with a potential increase of ambulances in the area, both because of the noise of the sirens and because of the possible barrier of railroad tracks between the housing and the new Silver Cross Hospital.

"I'm not here to oppose a senior living facility, but there are probably locations in New Lenox that would be better suited for it," Water Chase resident Sally Wirt said, adding that a high-density complex wasn't the type of development homeowners expected when they moved to that subdivision.

But Bolker said there isn't a better location as far as he's concerned, especially because of its proximity to the Calistoga Plaza shopping center and the Metra station.

"We cannot appease everyone," Bolker said. "But there’s no better place in town. I also think we’re going to be able to bring some neighbors and shoppers there to help out the tenants, because some are hurting."

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