Schultz: PhilHaven good for Wheeling
Members of the Wheeling Plan Commission are to be commended for the careful scrutiny they gave to the proposal to build PhilHaven, a development which would offer permanent supportive housing to those with disabilities.
They reviewed detailed staff reports, and conducted hearings lasting nearly 10 hours, during which they heard presentations by the Davieri Development Group, the Kenneth Young Center and Alexian Brothers Center, as well as questions and comments of citizens. Two commissioners also visited similar housing developments.
Before voting to recommend the proposal to the Village Board, the commissioners gave special consideration to parking and flooding concerns, and were satisfied with the adjustments and agreements that were made.
The engineers of neighboring Lakeside Villas and the developers worked together on a plan to control water runoff, one that could improve the situation for Lakeside residents.
It is clear that North and Northwest suburban Cook County continues to face a severe shortage of supportive housing for individuals with disabilities.
Considering the history and professional qualifications of Davieri Development, the Kenneth Young Center and Alexian Brothers Center, I am confident in their ability to develop and maintain PhilHaven as a special community in our village. It will be an important step toward reducing this housing shortage and toward helping residents of Wheeling and others begin their journeys toward recovery.
It will also be a high quality addition to our housing stock. An attractive building surrounded by generous green space built on what as an unsightly, long vacant piece of land will be a valuable tax asset, and an improvement to the appearance of the Village.
In light of the many benefits this proposal offers to the village and its residents, I look forward to the Village Board’s approval of PhilHaven.
Sheila H. Schultz
Wheeling