Disabled housing is a zoning issue

As a 35-plus year Arlington Heights resident, and a continuous Daily Herald subscriber, I was surprised to see a guest commentary from Arlen Gould Monday that was large and color highlighted. What Mr. Gould fails to mention is that the site Full Circle has purchased is not zoned for apartments.

There is no explanation why Full Circle purchased this land, knowing that it is not zoned appropriately. Even the village’s website to help developers states that any entity wanting to purchase or lease land in the village should obtain contingencies from the seller for permit and zoning requirements. Full Circle purchased this land with no contingencies from the seller, knowing they would have to obtain zoning changes for approval.

Many of us moved to Arlington Heights because of the strong zoning and building code regulations. The current families bought their homes knowing the adjacent site’s zoning. They have the right to expect the village to support that zoning.

This is a simple issue of Full Circle building this property on land that is not zoned for this type of facility. There is a reason that the Planning Commission has rejected this development twice.

It is not because people do not want this type of development in the village, only that it should be built in an area with the proper zoning. As a good neighbor, Full Circle should build this facility on land that is properly zoned for, and not force this development on a site that is not properly zoned.

All village residents that are near undeveloped land should feel assured that the village will protect them from unreasonable zoning changes.

David Dupree

Arlington Heights