Mt. Prospect senior housing plan back on track

After a slow start, plans are forging ahead for a senior development at the southeast corner of Wolf and Kensington roads in Mount Prospect.

This week, the Mount Prospect Village Board granted a conditional use permit for the Alden development.

The proposal initially got preliminary approval from the board in March 2011, but stalled when it could not receive requested funds from the state. That funding has since become available.

The development will have 92 dwelling units — 70 one-bedrooms and 22 two-bedrooms. A community room, a library and a computer room will be on the first floor.

Rents for the development are meant to be affordable, at 30 percent, 50 percent and 60 percent of the median Chicago area income, ranging from $328 to $877 per month.

The building is targeted for an August 2014 opening.

Elizabeth Demes, executive director of The Alden Foundation, which provides affordable housing for seniors, thanked the board for its patience.

“We’re thrilled to be able to finally become a part of your community and get this project started,” she said.

Mayor Irvana Wilks told her, “This is very important to us. As all of us age, we want to be able to have a place in Mount Prospect.”

Demes said the building will an independent living community. All of the residents will be able to cook and care for themselves.

“We do, however, have a very busy calendar of events and activities for our residents,” she said, adding there will be ample common area space.

In granting the conditional permit, the Mount Prospect board agreed to a height variation to 36.5 feet, as the maximum allowed by village code is 35 feet. It also approved a variation for reduced parking setback, from the required 10 feet to six feet along the west property line and from 10 feet to zero feet along the south property line.