Another Supporting Housing Project Rejected in Northwest Suburbs

A third northwest suburban community has rejected a supportive housing development for people with mental and physical disabilities in as many years. 

The Village of Palatine Monday voted 4-3 against Catherine Alice Gardens.

The proposed facility would have been built in a manufacturing-zoned area, but councilmen against the project cited the location as a less than desirable spot for a residential facility. 

Zoning also was an issue for Boeger Place, a similar proposed facility in Arlington Heights. That project required zoning changes, and was voted down by a vote of 4-3 as well. 

A subsequent lawsuit filed by the developer, who claimed Arlington Heights violated the Fair Housing and Americans with Disabilities and Rehabilitation Acts, was dismissed in June of 2012. 

The Village of Wheeling settled a lawsuit in June of 2013 after rejecting PhilHaven, also a project that would provide housing for people with physical and mental disabilities, according to the Chicago Tribune. 

In that case, Wheeling had previously approved needed zoning changes - and then voted against the project, the paper reported. The developer won compensation for all of its legal costs and the right to move the project forward.

The CEO of Kenneth Young Center, one of two main stakeholders in the proposed Palatine project, told the Daily Herald a lawsuit is not planned against Palatine despite the village council rejecting it.

A representative from the other stakeholder, UP Development, told the Daily Herald there was no comment on a potential lawsuit and said the issues are currently being researched.