'Shame on You!' Residents Upset With Senior Housing Recommendation

Residents took aim Tuesday night at a senior housing development planned in New Lenox, but it was to no avail as the village's Plan Commission voted to recommend the project to the Village Board.

The third time was a charm for local developer William Bolker, who submitted multiple versions of the development. Issues with parking and green space required him to redesign the building and cut the number of units in the three-story apartment building, which would be located near Laraway Road and Calistoga Drive.

For more details of the development, read

At Tuesday's meeting, the Plan Commission voted 4-1 to recommend that the Village Board grant a special use for the 3-acre lot just south of the Speedway gas station.

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.*

Residents in the adjacent Water Chase subdivision were upset with the commission's decision, shouting "Shame on you all!" The measure will go to the Village Board next at its March 12 meeting, which is 7 p.m. at .

The residents have been outspoken against the development for a number of reasons, including the way it's financed, the density of the building and lots more. Bolker wasn't at the meeting to defend his project, but attorney Cass Wennlund stood in for him.

Residents' Concerns

Density: Water Chase resident Sally Wirt was most concerned with the density of the building, which in the latest plan cut the number of units from 66 to 50. That means it's about 17 units per acre, well above what Wirt thought reasonable. 

Village code allows the board to grant a density of up to 20 percent of the zoning, provided that increased open space and amenities are included. But Wirt said that even if that 20 percent increase were granted, it would only result in about 4.8 units per acre, or 14 total units.

"You would need more than a 300 percent increase to get to what the developer is requesting," Wirt said. "And he’s only giving you a 45 percent increase in open space. I don’t think that’s fair.”

Maintenance: At a previous meeting, residents wanted to know who would maintain the property long-term so it wouldn't deteriorate over time. The village must obtain a maintenance plan from Bolker.

Water Chase resident Norma Cason showed the commission members photos of the landscaping when a Bolker-developed subdivision was first built, and what it looked like now.

"They were beautiful," Cason said of the plants. "But here we are now and all the bushes are dead. That subdivision has become a dumping ground. An old TV was thrown out of someone’s car and it’s been there for three years."

Age Restriction: The apartments will be restricted to 62-year-old residents, and that includes spouses. Some residents were worried that wouldn't be enforced and some grandchildren would perhaps live there. Bolker said that's not the case at a previous meeting.

Water Chase resident Gail Truitt was concerned with language in the tax credit program’s summary that said, "at least one person who is at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy," questioning whether the interpretation is that all residents must be that age or just one.

Planning Administrator Robin Ellis said the village attorney reviewed the proposal and that age restrictions such as that had been approved in the past. But she didn’t provide a certain answer and said it would be checked into.

Wennlund said a municipality has the right to make stricter the state and federal requirements.

Financing: The residents also questioned the means of funding the project through tax credits. A not-for-profit partner is required to receive the tax credits, so Trinity Services will own a portion of the development and receive 30 percent of the profits. Trinity Services provides programs for adults with developmental disabilities. Although this is legally required to obtain the financing, some residents questioned that philosophy.

Read more about in New Lenox in the last year.

Residents also questioned whether a priority list could be made for New Lenox Township residents and the safety of senior citizens when there's multiple train lines that could serve as barriers between the development and the new Silver Cross Hospital. Others also worried that this new development could keep future homeowners from building houses in the growing Water Chase subdivision.

Bolker acknowledged last meeting that he couldn't make everyone happy, but cited a need for local senior housing as a reason for the development. The township's senior living facility has been at capacity since opening and has at least 70 residents on the waiting list.

"(Our opposition) has nothing to do with seniors," Wirt said Tuesday. "This has to do with the size of the development and its location."

*This article has been updated to reflect a previous error regarding the project's financing.