Politics & Government

Senior Housing Could be a No-Go at Calistoga

After months of debate over a proposed senior housing project in New Lenox, the Village Board might not even vote on it, if trustees decide not to amend the annexation agreement.

Among the many obstacles faced by a proposed senior housing development in New Lenox, the Village Board's opinions Monday night could prove to be a final snag.

Developer Bill Bolker hopes to build a three-story senior housing building on a 3-acre lot next to the development on Laraway Road. It would have 50 age- and income-restricted units.

And while Village Board members said they understand the local need for senior housing and don't mind the financing for the project, the location might not be what they're looking for. 

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

To approve the project, the board would need to first amend the annexation agreement to rezone the property from commercial to residential. But trustees who spoke at Monday's board meeting weren't in favor of doing that.

"After talking, I don't even want to open it up," trustee Dave Smith said. "It would be a complete can of worms." 

Find out what's happening in New Lenoxwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Trustees Annette Bowden and Keith Madsen spoke and said they agreed with Smith. A super majority, or five of seven votes, would be needed to amend the agreement. 

At a meeting last month, Mayor Tim Baldermann questioned whether a residential property should go in a place originally zoned for a commercial property that would bring sales tax to the village. 

"We as a board have already approved tax-credited senior housing, so it's not about that," Baldermann said. "The issue is we had a 20-year deal with somebody and he's looking to change that deal."

Bolker said the property would fail if zoned commercially and that no one has been interested in developing it for five years, but the board disagreed with that assertion. 

The board will vote whether to amend the annexation agreement at its June 11 meeting, which is at 7 p.m. in . If the board votes not to amend it, trustees won't even discuss the senior housing project. 

However, there are other parcels in the development zoned residential, and Baldermann said if Bolker wanted to propose the project for another area, that's his choice. 

Residents in the adjacent Water Chase subdivision have adamantly opposed the project, mostly because of its location. For more information about the proposed senior housing and the ongoing debate, read our previous coverage: 

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