Lombard denies group's plan to build senior housing complex

A Naperville-based nonprofit group has scrapped plans to replace the second phase of a stalled luxury condominium development in Lombard with apartments for fixed-income seniors.

Lombard trustees denied the Xilin Association's bid to build a publicly funded 52-unit senior citizen housing complex in place of a previously approved 40-unit condo building along St. Charles Road.

Originally, a second five-story building was planned for the Oakview Estates condominium complex. But when the slumping housing market sent the project into limbo, Xilin stepped forward with its proposal.

However, Village President William Mueller said the trustees were uncomfortable the Xilin plan called for 12 additional units. Trustees also had a short timeline to make a decision.

"The board had a lot of questions that could not be addressed because of the timeline," Mueller said. "But, ultimately, the density was not thought to be proper for that location."

On Thursday, trustees rejected Xilin's plan.

Xilin attorney John Mulherin said the agency had a Dec. 3 deadline to have the zoning approved and apply for funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority. Thursday's vote leaves no time to revise the plan.

"To say I was surprised would be putting it mildly because that vote effectively killed my client's project," Mulherin said. "It's a shame."

Mulherin said Xilin doesn't yet have an alternative plan.

"This was a rather expensive project in terms of hiring experts and consultants for what we thought was a plan that was moving forward," he said. "I'm sure they'll step back and take a long, hard look at what they'll want to do next."

Village planner Bill Heniff echoed Mueller's sentiments that "density was an issue."

Heniff said several residents voiced concerns and support for the project during the past few weeks.

One outspoken opponent was Larry Dilworth, a resident of the completed luxury condominium.

"I don't know anyone who would be opposed to affordable senior housing," Dilworth said. "But this isn't the right place for it because of the lack of any surrounding amenities."

With senior housing out of the mix, there are no other plans on the table for the vacant lot, officials said.

"So Thursday's denial means the initial 2004 plans are still the standing plans for that property," Heniff said. "Any 40-unit residential unit could be built there as long as it is based on the previous plans."

Mueller wants the developer, Park Ridge-based Neri Companies, to construct the second condo building as planned in 2004. A message left Tuesday at Neri's offices was not returned.

"I hope the developer moves forward in good faith to develop that site and fulfill his commitment to the residents of Lombard who have already purchased there," Mueller said. "Maybe the housing market won't allow them to do it tomorrow, but maybe they can wait a year to turn it around."