Gurnee OKs senior-living complex

Gurnee's East Grand Avenue corridor is the latest area in Lake County to be targeted for a senior residential complex.

Village board members Monday night voted 6-0 in favor of granting a special-use permit allowing construction of three-story, 105-unit supportive-living development on the southwest corner of Grand and Waveland avenues.

“This is really, truly a wonderful addition Gurnee Mayor Kristina Kovarik said.

To be called Heritage Woods, the facility's typical resident will be 85 to 87 years old, said Stephen Barron, whose namesake Chicago-based company is developing the project. He said financing should be set by August, with occupancy projected in mid-2012.

Barron and his company's attorney, Bernard Citron, told village board members the state is issuing more supportive-living facility licenses for Lake County because the area lacks affordable senior housing options. Monthly rent prices are controlled by the state as part of the supportive-living license. Such places are required to accommodate residents who can afford to pay on their own along with those who've depleted their assets and are Medicaid recipients.

Last week, 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.

In Round Lake Beach, plans call for 94 rooms in a four-story building for the Oak Hill supportive-living senior facility along Rollins Road. Another senior project is proposed for Gurnee's west side on roughly 12 acres on Hunt Club Road near Washington Street. If built, the 100-unit Thomas Place development would be geared for the 55-and-older set.