Elmhurst Sober Home Controversy Recalled In New Discussion

ELMHURST, IL – Nearly five years ago, an Elmhurst neighborhood was rocked by a debate over a sober living home.

A discussion on Monday brought that experience to mind.

Now, the city's zoning commission is overhauling the city's 34-year-old zoning code. The new version is expected to include rules for group homes.

Under the proposed regulations, Elmhurst would allow homes of up to eight unrelated people with disabilities, which include addiction.

"We're not talking about a drug treatment center in a neighborhood. We're talking about people trying to get sober," said Susan Rose, chairwoman of the Zoning and Planning Commission.

Commissioner Kevin Byrnes recalled the 2021 battle over the sober living home at 348 N. Larch Ave.

"How has that worked out?" he asked.

The city's planner, Eileen Franz, said she was not aware of any complaints.

In June 2021, the City Council voted 11-1 for the sober living home over neighbors' objections.

At the time, officials cited a similar situation in which Hinsdale tried to put such a home out of business. That resulted in the federal government suing Hinsdale, a matter that the village settled.

In Elmhurst, the Larch Avenue sober living home started in 2018. The nonprofit group running the home wanted an exemption from the zoning rule that limits a house to four unrelated people, a number the group had exceeded before. The group asked for up to seven men in the seven-bedroom house.

Neighbors pleaded with the city to stick to its rule.