Story posted Thursday, February 4, 2010
Assisted Living Building Project OKd By Council
By RICHARD MAYER Assistant Managing Editor
After almost an hour discussing drainage, parking, and architectural designs, Palatine councilmen Monday night unanimously approved preliminary plans to construct a three-story, 75-unit, 105-bed assisted living facility on Quentin Road where the current Mia's Nursery exists.
Councilman Aaron Del Mar recused himself from the presentation and vote because he is a friend with the owner of Mia's and his parents reside behind that property.
The purpose of the facility will be to accommodate individuals suffering from Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
Total square footage of the building would span approximately 65,680 sq. ft. A total of 58 parking spaces would be provided resulting in a parking ratio of 0.55 spaces per bed. Based upon a traffic study submitted and residents not being permitted to have cars, village staff believes the parking plan provided is acceptable, with the exception of some holidays where a valet system is being proposed that would add approximately 17 more spaces.
According to Mike Samuels, attorney for CRL Senior Living Communities, the 31 employees would assist patients with their medication, dressing, provide three meals per day, facilitate activities, and more.
An agreement to relocate needs to be worked out between CRL Senior Living Communities and the owner of Positive Strokes Art School, which also currently operates on the property where the facility would be constructed.
Students and teachers of the school attended Monday's village council meeting and voiced their displeasure with the proposed project.
Many of them said they never heard of this proposal until recently and told council members they should look out for the well-being of small business owners---in this case the school being a small business.
In a letter given to council members hours before the meeting, CRL informed village staff and councilmen it would incur all costs associated with relocating.
According to Village Manager Reid Ottesen, another public hearing will be conducted for anyone within 250 ft. of the property, and final architectural plans need to be presented before it comes back to the council for final approval, which he anticipates to occur in the next 4 to 6 months.
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