Staff made compelling case for housing project

At the Sept. 20 hearing concerning the proposed Crescent Court 40-unit apartment building, the staff of Arlington Heights offered a truly compelling analysis of why this project is exactly right for our village. As a former member and chair of the Housing Commission, I have observed many such presentations and this one deserved an A-plus.

As apartment buildings go, this is a small project. For example, immediately to its west is the Stonebridge complex, which contains a massive 568 units. It is over 14 times bigger than Crescent Place will be.

The land on which Crescent Court will sit has been vacant, and therefore nonproductive, for 19 years. It is time to put this land to an appropriate use.

Crescent Place will be occupied by individuals and small families, because only one- and two-bedroom units are planned. This addresses a significantly under-met need in the Northwest suburbs.

Yet, there is opposition. At a hearing which lasted over two and a half hours, the opposition essentially was limited to hypothetical traffic issues that were contradicted by multiple traffic studies performed by experts.

There is a population of 9.6 million in the Chicago Metropolitan Statistical Area. This means that there will be traffic. There will be congestion. A mere 40 additional housing units will have virtually no impact.

The Housing and Planning commissions both unanimously approved this project. The village staff, as noted, thoroughly and impressively examined this project and recommended its approval. The developers of Crescent Place requested no variances and accepted every change proposed by the village commissions and village staff.

Arlington Heights proclaims itself to be the City of Good Neighbors. Let us confirm that claim by welcoming the fortunate few who would become our neighbors in Crescent Place.

Mark Hellner

Arlington Heights