Woodland Dist. 50 to developer: You're paying fees

Woodland Elementary District 50 board members Thursday rejected a developer's request to bypass paying nearly $55,700 in impact fees because school-age children are not expected at an apartment complex geared for residents 55 and older.

District 50's action was opposite of what happened earlier this week at Warren Township High School in Gurnee. Board members voted to agree to waive a $40,194 impact fee on Ryan Cos. Inc.

However, Warren officials agreed the entire $40,194 would be charged to Ryan if any children live at the proposed complex and attend Warren.

Ryan Cos. Inc. wants to build a 100-unit senior independent living facility for residents 55 and older off Hunt Club Road just north of Washington Street in Gurnee. The apartment complex, to be called Thomas Place, would be on about half of a 12-acre site.

Plans call for a three-story building and sheltered parking, according to Ryan Cos. representatives who spoke at a Gurnee plan commission meeting in April. In-house amenities may include a hair salon.

At Thursday's Woodland meeting, board members voted 5-1 against waiving a $55,672 impact fee to Ryan. Board member Terry Hall said there is no reason to let go of any revenue in a district that's struggling financially.

“I just don't think we should automatically approve this,” Hall said.

School impact fees are enforced on residential developers in several Lake County communities as a way to offset costs of educating additional children the homes typically bring.

District 50 Associate Superintendent Robert Leonard said the Gurnee village board can trump the school officials' decision when Ryan's proposal is up for a final vote and allow the company to skirt the $55,672 impact fee. Leonard said it's projected Thomas Place would bring about $65,969 in annual property taxes to Woodland.

Warren Superintendent Phil Sobocinski said it's projected that Thomas Place would provide at least $23,000 in annual property tax revenue for the school system.

Senior housing projects have been popping up across Lake County. Most recently, Gurnee village board members at a Dec. 6 meeting approved a three-story, 105-unit supportive-living project on Grand Avenue east of Route 41.

In late November, a ceremonial groundbreaking was held for Victory Centre of Vernon Hills, which will feature a 111-unit apartment complex and a supportive-living facility with 120 spots.