Board failed us over Lutheran Home

The Arlington Heights board approved the Lutheran Home expansion with little regard for the surrounding single family home community.

The hearing was not about the quality of care that the Lutheran Home provides its patients, yet all in favor of the expansion commented on how well the people inside of the home are treated; this was never in question.

In addition, the majority of those who spoke in favor of the project were not taxpayers of Arlington Heights, and failed to disclose their affiliation with the Lutheran Home.

The board’s job was not just to approve the Lutheran Home expansion according to zoning code criteria. The Arlington Heights Village Board failed to address the major question that was their duty: How does the massive four-year construction project, the amount of blacktop and new towering facility fit in with the neighborhood over the short and long term?

The board also did nothing to enforce the Lutheran Home’s status as a “good neighbor” during the four years of construction.

Leading up to the vote, the village counted the area cars, but did nothing to count the people who walk their dogs, kids who ride their bikes, and those who walk and jog to maintain a healthy lifestyle and run track for area schools.

How are they going to assure neighborhood residents that the Lutheran Home is a “good neighbor” and that numerous contractors are safe and respectful of the neighborhood community and the families that have to live near this massive four-year construction project?

Arlington Heights is supposed to be the city of good neighbors, but it does not appear as though anyone who governs Arlington Heights feels obliged to maintain the integrity of the community and protect the interests of those who reside here.

Tammy DeMarco

Arlington Heights