Rolling Meadows council split on senior housing at Dominick's site
The Rolling Meadows City Council was split during its first discussion about bringing a senior living complex to the long-vacant Dominick's property along Kirchoff Road.
Dallas-based South Bay Partners presented to the council its idea Tuesday for an approximately 300-unit facility that would take all of the 11.5-acre site with a mixture of independent-living, assisted-living and memory-care housing. Three aldermen and Mayor Tom Rooney said they were open to the idea, while three others said they were against it. Alderwoman Laura Majikes was absent.
"This basically takes away downtown, and once it's gone it's not coming back," Alderman Len Prejna said. "I am not interested in losing our downtown."
Adam Arnold, development director with South Bay Partners - which specializes in senior housing and just completed The Springs of Vernon Hills - said the project would bring 80 to 100 jobs to Rolling Meadows and hundreds of potential visitors to the city's stores and restaurants.
South Bay Partners would completely tear down the shopping center that housed the former Dominick's, which closed in 2004, and would not include any retail.
The company has signed a letter of intent to buy the property from Clark Street Development, which had been trying to market the property for retail for several years with no luck - but the purchase is contingent on city approval of a text amendment and rezoning.
Arnold said if South Bay receives city approval and permits, it could take 24 months for construction.
About 100 units would be for assisted-living or memory-care residents, while roughly 200 others would be independent-living homes.
The development would also feature multiple dining options, courtyards, walking paths and exercise facilities.
All units would be rented at market rate, which brought up an issue for Alderman Brad Judd. The project would be in Judd's ward, and he has long been against bringing more rental projects to the city.
"I do understand that something is better than nothing, but if we are going to make a conscious decision to switch to residential, we need to look at the tax base," Judd said.
Alderman Mike Cannon said he agreed about the rental properties and added that he was worried about increased emergency calls to the development and the stress that would put on the city's fire department.
Aldermen Rob Banger, John D'Astice and Tim Veenbaas said they would be open to the idea.
"My heart is with everybody who wants to hold out for retail, but my head is saying how many years it is going to be empty before we finally realize what's going on there?" said Rooney, whose vote would count only in case of a tiebreaker.
South Bay Partners will be back in front of the council in March with concept drawings and more information about its plan.