Grayslake Recommends New Senior Housing

The Grayslake Zoning Board has recommended allowing a 70-unit apartment building to be built for low-income residents age 55 and older on Belvidere Road and Neville Road.

The recommendation, which was made at the board’s May 26 meeting will be brought to the village board, who will make the final decision regarding the project.

This was the fourth public hearing the board held with Mercy Housing, which seeks to amend a special use permit to construct the building called Lakefront Lodge across from the village’s namesake, Gray’s Lake.

The vote was preceded by a cross-examination between attorney Steve Friedland, who represents Mercy Housing and Patrick Smith, who represents a group of residents who oppose the project.

“Mercy is defined as compassion towards someone for whom it is one’s power to harm. Ironically, my clients feel in this process they are being afforded little mercy,” Smith said. “Unfortunately, the benefit that runs the village, the county and the region comes with burdens disproportionately by the people who live near this site.”

The discussion reflected the effect on traffic and the proposed height of the building, which Smith said varies from the 2007 proposal first brought to the zoning board.

During the evening, Smith pointed out a study by his clients conducted earlier this week, flying a red tethered balloon at 72 feet at the site to show the maximum height the clock tower would reach at the complex. The study raises the question if this building not only would become a dominant feature but also would have a detrimental affect on residents.

“Our clients’ testimony has shown that not only will people suffer, but they already have,” Smith said.

Friedland responded, “There will not be a detriment to this project on this site with the plans that we have proposed.”

While praising the developer’s design, board member Tom Morris said he struggles with the height and urged if change can be made particularly at its west end where the building may impact residents.

“The burden should not fall disproportionately on the few, and I feel tonight we are asking some people to take a hit,” Morris said.

Smith said his clients support a senior housing complex within Grayslake but not as this use and not at this site. Changes have been made from 2007 to what has been presented now and leaves them unclear what will be built.

“What we’ve got is an amendment to a special use permit that speaks to some issues, does not speak to others and leaves us wondering what will go there,” Smith said.

The zoning board also sought answers to other residents’ issues such as stormwater runoff. Two detention ponds will be created at the northeast and northwest corners where water will be collected, treated and released into Gray’s Lake.

Representatives from Mercy Housing also discussed landscaping plans, such as adding evergreen, deciduous trees and shrubs along the property. However, the board urged developers include a fence to separate the property. The recommendation also detailed that Mercy Housing give priority to Grayslake residents and pay impact fees to the fire department, park district and library.

Board member Phil Mullenix, who voted against the recommendation, said not only is there no assurance that Grayslake residents will live in this complex but he is concerned that from 2007 to today, property values have been effected. Approving this project could further impact property tax revenue, resulting in higher property taxes for all.

“It would be negligent for me to ignore financial stress on all taxpayers in Grayslake,” he said.

Chair Karl Molek said recommending this complex will serve as the best use of this land.

“I think the need for senior housing in Grayslake does exist, and I think we have an opportunity to provide some for our residents as well as for those who will become our residents,” he said.