Politics & Government

Village Questions Developer of 240 Apartments

Board of Trustees approves report of Plan Commission but wants concerns addressed.

A 240-unit apartment project on Lake Cook Road near the Tollway got a step closer to reality at Monday’s Village Board meeting but Mayor Harriet Rosenthal and the Trustees want some answers before final approval.

The Board unanimously approved the report of the Plan Commission recommending construction of 240 luxury apartments by AMLI Company at 1525 Lake Cook Road but not before asking peneterating questions of AMLI Executive Vice President Stephen Ross and his team.

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Questions about pedestrians crossing Lake Cook Road and the impact of approximately 400 people living in the project were among the key concerns of the Village. Though an ordinance will be prepared for at the May 6 Board meeting, the Trustees expect answers.

“When you come back to us in two weeks, we expect you will address some of these concerns,” Rosenthal said. The mayor made it clear after the meeting the answers would have to alleviate the Board’s concerns and would be written into the ordinance before final approval.

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Ross told the Board the apartments would be “work force housing” with strong appeal to people employed at nearby companies like Walgreens. He said both Walgreens and the Deerfield Bannockburn Riverwoods Chamber of Commerce approved of the idea.

The building will house studio, one and two-bedroom units ranging in price from $1,250 to $2,450 per month, according to Ross.

Ross also expects the project to draw people earning between $45,000 and $88,000 per year. “It’s not affordable housing, but work force housing that is affordable,” Ross said.

Rosenthal was happy to hear that. Deerfield may not have an affordable housing ordinance, but officials are mindful of the concept. “Teachers who teach in Deerfield and police officers who work here could afford these apartments and we appreciate that,” she said.

Board Approves Budget

In other action, the Board unanimously approved a $36,080,006 eight-month budget from May 1 through the end of the year. Finance Director Eric Burk said the Village anticipates revenue during that period in the amount of $29,395,131. The difference will come from unused bond revenue and reserves.

The Board is using an eight-month budget because it will shift to a calendar rather than fiscal year in 2014.

Patch will have more detailed stories on both issues later this week.

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