Rolling Meadows senior housing plan stays alive
The proposal for a senior housing development at the former Dominick's property on Kirchoff Road lived to fight another day after the Rolling Meadows City Council approved it on first reading Tuesday night at a contentious meeting.
More than 130 people packed the city council chamber and about 20 participated in what Mayor Tom Rooney said was the longest public comment period in his time on the council. After hearing from residents — mostly those who were against the proposal from South Bay Partners to change the zoning and allow a 220-unit senior living rental community — the project moved forward by a vote of 4-3.
Several council members said they were voting yes to allow for a public meeting, which will take place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at city hall. At that meeting, South Bay Partners will give a complete presentation on its project for the 11-acre site that has sat empty for 12 years, and residents will have a further chance to ask questions.
Most of the residents who spoke up said they would like to see retail return to the city's downtown, of which the Dominick's property takes up about 40 percent.
“We still believe this property has potential,” said resident Mary Faust. “The residents want to keep the downtown as the heart of our community.”
However, the property is privately owned and the proposal from South Bay Partners is the only one that has been made in recent years.
“Our current choice is to leave the building vacant or accept a new development. There are no other choices right now. As much as we would like retail or restaurants, those options are not on the table,” said Alderman John D'Astice.
He voted for moving the project forward and was joined by Tim Veenbaas, Robert Banger and Laura Majikes.
Two residents spoke in favor of the plan and said it was time to move on from the hopes of bringing retail back to the Kirchoff Road corridor.
After Thursday's public meeting, the council will take a final vote on the project at its next meeting on Aug. 9.