Arlington Hts. apartments for mentally disabled pass 1st test

A proposed apartment building for people with mental illness gained the narrowest of recommendations from the Arlington Heights Plan Commission Wednesday, at a meeting that attracted at least 130 people and went past midnight.

The final decision on rezoning and variations now rests with the Arlington Heights Village Board, who will take it up at an undetermined date, Village Manager Bill Dixon said Thursday.

The commission's vote was 4-3, but Joseph Lorenzini, who voted in favor, said he thought the village board should consider the large increase in density the developer is seeking.

The request is for 30 units, while the site would allow 16 if it were rezoned from business to institutional.

Jessica Berzac, vice president of acquisitions and development for Daveri Development Group, a co-owner of the building, said the project won't be financially feasible if the number of units is cut or they are told to buy more land.

The $9 million Boeger Place Apartments is planned for an acre at 120 and 122 E. Boeger Road, just east of Arlington Heights Road and south of Dundee Road.

The apartments will be what is called supportive housing, and restricted to low-income mentally ill adults. Only people with no criminal records and judged able to live on their own with support, will be allowed in, said Jay Forman, vice president of Strategic Development for Thresholds, which provides services to people with mental illnesses.

Thresholds will be the other co-owner of the building. The group will provide services to residents, but there will not be staff on site 24 hours a day.

The project was initiated by the North/Northwest Suburban Task Force on Supportive Housing for Individuals with Mental Illness, a group of parents of adults with mental illness who sought out Daveri and Thresholds.

While the proposed building meets setback and height restrictions, variations include allowing 30 units rather than 16, making most of the units 10 percent smaller than regulation and a reduction in the number of parking spaces.

Bruce Green, chairman of the commission, said he was disappointment Daveri had not fulfilled his request to meet with Buffalo Grove residents.

He voted no, citing the "overwhelming" impact on neighbors who do not want the building and the large increase in density over what the zoning ordinance allows.

Wednesday's testimony was divided between supporters of the project - many who have mental illness themselves or in their families, and who insist the residents will not be dangerous - and opponents who live near the site in Arlington Heights or Buffalo Grove.

"After six months you won't notice a difference, a resident will just be the neighbor next door, the nice man who helps you with your groceries," said Nora Stankrewicz, an Arlington Heights resident who said she has mental illness.

"They're not going to be riding motorcycles and having wild parties. We're in bed and asleep at 10 o'clock."

Most opponents, including the commissioners who voted against it, said they realize this type of housing is needed, but they oppose this site.

Some were concerned the apartments would be next door to a day care center and across Dundee Road from Buffalo Grove High School.

The District 214 administration is studying the issue, Venetia Miles, spokeswoman for the district, said Thursday.

The site also does not have access to public transportation, and the village staff report supporting the project asked the village board to require several conditions, including a transportation plan.

Craig Horwitz, a Buffalo Grove resident who leafleted the neighborhoods of Mill Creek in Buffalo Grove and Northgate in Arlington Heights, said the project would be an economic blow to Buffalo Grove, which is trying to entice businesses to vacant sites on Dundee Road.

Arlington Heights should be "fair to thousands as opposed to right and fair to 36 people," said Horwitz.

On Monday, Horwitz asked the Buffalo Grove Village Board to oppose the project. At the same Buffalo Grove meeting, Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 board member Arlen Gould defending the proposal. Gould is on the advisory committee of the North/Northwest task force.

Gina Valio of Schaumburg, who rents an apartment for her son in Arlington Heights, said as a board member of the parents task force and a leader of a local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, she gets two or three calls a week from parents.

"Their problems are critical," she said. "Most are around instability - a person doesn't have a safe living arrangement or care or supervision or a good doctor."