Palatine OKs senior facility
Palatine officials last summer fretted over potentially undesirable companies taking over the vacant Mia's Nursery site and only narrowly approved a zoning measure allowing for more than 100 types of businesses.
But the council didn't have to wait long to learn exactly what's in store for the two-acre property, on Monday unanimously approving preliminary plans for a 75-unit, 105-bed senior residential facility.
CRL Senior Living Communities, which operates about 15 facilities in Wisconsin and Fox Point and Fox Point Manor in McHenry, will run the three-story, secure senior assisted living community at 896 N. Quentin Road in Palatine.
The 65,700-square-foot facility will employ 82 full-time workers and consist of 45 one-bedroom units and 30 two-bedroom units. Construction is at least four to six months off from starting.
One concern was parking, but the petitioner responded that residents utilizing the facility will have Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, and will not have access to cars. On high visitation occasions such as Mother's Day, employees will car pool if necessary and valet parking will be provided.
Positive Strokes Art School, currently a tenant in one of the property's buildings, will also have to relocate. Several residents spoke on behalf of the school, saying it was unfair it would have to move on short notice. The village isn't legally able to interfere in a private lease, but offered its assistance to help the organization relocate. The developer also offered to pay its relocation costs.
Another of staff's concerns regarded stormwater management since the water naturally flows to the residential and business properties to the west and south. An engineer discussed an elaborate water detention vault in which discharge could be controlled into a neighboring creek.
Finally, staff met with neighbors whose property abuts the future facility. The operators agreed to build a 6-foot fence on top of planned landscaping to further screen the property from its neighbors.
Facility: Construction at least four months off