Voices for and against Grayslake senior housing
Supporters and opponents of a proposed senior apartment complex got their say at a public hearing Monday night before the advisory Grayslake zoning board of appeals.
Mercy Housing Lakefront of Chicago wants an amendment to a special-use permit to build a four-story, 70-unit senior apartment building on Route 120 just east of Alleghany Road. It would be across from the village’s namesake Gray’s Lake.
Plans call for 63 one-bedroom and seven two-bedroom units in the four-story structure at Route 120 and Neville Drive. A community room, fitness center, library and warming kitchen are part of the preliminary plans.
About 60 spectators attended Monday’s zoning board of appeals public hearing. Project opponents raised issues such as whether a four-story building would be in keeping with Grayslake’s character, while backers said seniors deserve a nice place to age with dignity.
Michael Andrews, who lives south of Route 120 across from Gray’s Lake, questioned why there has been a lack of detail from the village about Mercy Housing’s plan. He said the Neville-Route 120 site would be more appropriate for a restaurant or coffee shop.
“We have concerns about making a decision with the scant information you have so far,” Andrews told the seven-member zoning board.
Larry Todryk, one of Andrews’ neighbors on Belle Court, said he has concerns about potentially negative effects the tentatively named Lakefront Lodge would have on Gray’s Lake. He said the 70-unit complex could cause too much rainwater runoff for the area.
But Jamison Geiger, senior pastor of United Methodist Church of Libertyville, was among local religious leaders who spoke in favor of Mercy Housing’s plans. Geiger also represented Lake County United, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of churches, synagogues, mosques, civil and labor groups involved in issues such as affordable housing.
Geiger said Lake County has a need for senior homes and a place to age with dignity. In a posting on its website Monday, Lake County United refers to the Grayslake proposal by stating, “Some local ‘Not In My Back Yard’ opposition has appeared, so a strong local organizing effort will be required.”
In addition, the group that Geiger represented states it helped Mercy secure rental subsidies from the Lake County Housing Authority and tax-credit financing from the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
Lakefront Lodge would serve residents with annual incomes of $15,800 to $31,600 for a one-person household. For two occupants, the income range would be $18,010 to $36,100.
Rent would be $424 to $713 per month for single occupants of one-bedroom units. Mercy plans to charge $509 to $850 for two residents in an apartment with the corresponding number of bedrooms.
Mercy Housing’s developer, Brad White, said 15 units would be set aside for special-needs seniors who receive Social Security disability checks. He said property taxes would be paid for the senior apartments at the same rate as other owners in the village, despite the organization’s nonprofit status.
Zoning board of appeals members will issue a recommendation to the Grayslake village board on whether the special-use permit modification should be granted so the apartments can be constructed. Monday’s meeting was continued to April 25.
Village board trustees will have the final say in the matter.