Only 1 Senior Housing Plan Survives the April 4 City Council Meeting

The Batavia City Council on Monday night voted on two senior housing plans, but only one got the nod of approval.

Annexation for Equity Growth Group's housing proposal passed 11-2. Real estate group DKI's proposal would have passed, but a technicality allowed Batavia Mayor Jeff Schielke to vote and deadlock the Council.

The Council's original vote was 7-6 to amend the city's Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map for DKI’s senior housing development, which was to be located on the city's west side.

Since half of the council voted in favor of the proposal, Schielke was allowed to vote. The mayor opposed the amendment and tied the vote 7-7. Since the vote was deadlocked, DKI's proposal failed.

Alderman Robert Liva, whose vote could have also helped to decide the fate of DKI's plan, was absent.

A Mayor's Vote

This is one of only three scenarios in which the mayor can vote at a city council meeting, said an attorney with the Drendel & Jansons Law Group. The group now represents the city in legal matters following former City Attorney John Noble's departure due to health reasons.

DKI wanted to build a two-story, 80-unit senior housing complex on the northeast corner of Deerpath Road and Main Street.

“I think this is a good example of a piece of property in the Batavia community that is deserving of some serious studying and conversation, and we need to look at what we really want to do out there,” said Mayor Schielke, agreeing with Alderman Jim Volk. “I have to have empathy for the neighbors that surround this particular project.”

Resident Michael Huddleston brought his house under the assumption that the land next to him would be for office use, not multi-family housing. He said on Monday that it is inappropriate to change the land use to conform to a developer’s plan.

Equity Growth Plan Gets Votes, But Not Favored By All

With a vote of 11-2 the council approved the annexation of Equity Growth Group’s senior housing plan. The site for the group's project would be located off of South Drive west of the Walmart property, and east of the Windemere Development on the Hawk’s farm property.  

Equity's current plan calls for a three-story senior housing complex with 80 units, eight of which will be at market-rate prices.

The council also approved amending the Land Use Map of the Comprehensive Plan and rezoning to accommodate Equity's plan.

Aldermen Dawn Tenuta and Jim Volk voted against Equity's project. The two council members felt rushed through the process to get to the final vote.

“Before we move forward, we shall determine our land use," Tenuta said.  "I will not make these decisions that will impact our residents, our neighborhoods and community based on a developer’s timeline when I believe we aren’t ready to do so.”

Alderman Dan Brown disagreed with Tenuta, stating that the Plan Commission and Community Development Committee had plenty of time to talk about the two senior housing proposals.

Volk added the city needs to sit down with residents over donuts and many cups of coffee to figure out the appropriate use for these properties. Also, he said Equity should pay the school impact fees because he feels all of the city is responsible for education of the young.

Since the council approved amending the city’s comprehensive land use and rezoned the property for multi-family dwelling, Equity Growth Group will meet its April 15 deadline to submit an application for a tax credit from the Illinois Housing Development Authority.