Downers Grove Plan Commission OKs Senior Living Facility

A proposal to build a senior living facility in Downers Grove will go before the village council next month after winning preliminary approval from the plan commission.

The Downers Grove Plan Commission voted unanimously Monday to approve a three-story sheltered care facility at 4200 Lacey Road, just north of Ogden Avenue near Interstates 88 and 355.

Supportive living facilities are licensed by the state and provide assistance to seniors in a number of areas, including basic health monitoring, eating, bathing and cleaning.

The current proposal is the third attempt in the past year by the petitioner, C.M. Lavoie and Associates, and the developer, Delta Development of Downers Grove, to build a supportive living facility in the village.

"This project has evolved. It's been a collective effort," said Christopher Lavoie, project engineer. "We really believe that what's being presented to you tonight is something that we're all going to be proud of at the end of the day."

Developers are seeking approval to consolidate three existing parcels—a wooded area, a single-family home and garage, and property occupied by Donegal Excavating Inc.

The new building would be approximately 97,000 square feet, and would contain 120 residential units—60 studios and 60 one-bedroom suites.

More than a dozen residents attended the plan commission meeting, several of whom said they are in favor of the facility if it means relocating Donegal, which they claim is loud and disruptive to their residential neighborhood.

Others, however, said they are concerned about the additional traffic and impact on the aesthetics of the area.  

The initial license for a supportive living facility in Downers Grove was obtained in 2005, but was revoked after a period of inactivity, according to Delta Development president Michael Fiandaca.

About two years ago, Fiandaca and his team began working with the village to secure the site on 63rd Street, but were told that the lot in question did not meet the five-acre requirement for sheltered care facilities in Downers Grove. Last year, they petitioned the village to build a five-story facility at 5100 Forest Ave., the site of a vacant bank building across from the Downers Grove Public Library.

In October, the plan commission voted 5-2 to forward a positive recommendation to the village council, with Gregory Beggs and then chairman Greg Hosé casting the dissenting votes. However, the petition was withdrawn in November after commissioners expressed overwhelming opposition to the project—primarily due to its location in downtown Downers Grove, which they said went against goals outlined in the village's comprehensive plan.

With time running out on the SLF license, Delta Development went back to 63rd Street, that time to partner with First Christian Church to purchase more land. That proposal was withdrawn in early February after it was met with overwhelming opposition by residents at a plan commission meeting.
Fiandaca said earlier this year that Delta has until January 2014 to build the facility, which he said would be the missing link between independent living and a nursing home in Downers Grove.

The commission's recommendation is expected to go before the village council in September.

Related Stories:

• Developer Making Fourth Attempt at Supportive Living Facility in Downers Grove

• Developer Scraps Plans for Senior Living Facility on 63rd Street

• Downers Grove Plan Commission Delays Vote on Senior Living Facility