Affordable Housing Proposal Gets Nod From Glen Ellyn Plan Commission

TGLEN ELLYN, IL — In a meeting that lasted nearly four hours, the Glen Ellyn Plan Commission gave a positive recommendation for an affordable housing development on part of the old Roosevelt Road hotel site. If approved by the village board, the project, helmed by Full Circle Communities (FCC), will feature 42 unit one- and two-bedroom units spanning three parcels at 640 Taft Ave.

FCC plans to allot 30 percent of the apartments to provide housing for residents with disabilities. These residents would have access to support services while they live in the complex.

In late winter of 2024, the village board approved a $1.75 million agreement with Full Circle Communities for the property.

At its Feb. 6 meeting, the plan commission voted 5 to 2 in favor of a zoning map amendment and zoning variances that had been requested by FCC. The petitioner requested the map amendment to rezone the property, which is designated C3 for commercial use, to R4, for residential use. The recommended variances include a request to reduce the site's required parking spaces to 42, in addition to requests for setback, height and lot area variations.

During the meeting, several residents came to show their support for the proposal, stressing the need for more affordable housing in the village.

Reverends George Smith and Seth Carey, from St. Mark's Episcopal Church and First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, urged the plan commission to favor the development.

Smith said, "Glen Ellyn is a home for everyone, and it's an idea we have to strive toward, especially in a world that's not always so hospitable, so we'd like to invite all of those gathered here tonight to support this development of affordable and supportive housing to stand."

Everyone who was seated behind Smith appeared to stand in support of the measure. "Thank your for your time and for all that you do," Smith concluded, amid chuckles from the dais and the audience.

Carey echoed Smith's sentiments in his speech, saying, "Prosperity is more than economic health. Prosperity stems from a community's diversity: ages, race, faith, languages, work and professions."

Despite what seemed like overwhelming support, some residents and village staff expressed concerns over traffic issues that may arise once the apartments are occupied. According to village officials, the traffic study was conducted on May 16, a weekday, between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m., and between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Norris Eber, who lives at Taft and Kingsbrook Glen, called the intersection of Exmoore and Taft "the Wild West" and asked whether the traffic study accounted for parking along Taft, which does not include overnight parking. Due to that condition, on-street parking on Taft was not part of the study.

Village staff had "expressed concerns with the applicant about the limited number of parking being provided," Village Planning Manager Daniel Harper said.

Following public comment, some commissioners expressed hesitance about the development. Commissioner Connie Arango said, "I'm really not for the zoning change."

Commissioner Tim Loftus shared a similar sentiment, saying, "I am not for the zoning change because, though I think it's a great project, I don't think the location is a good spot."

Commissioner Laura Bromann Brown said she favored the zoning change, but suggested "ways to offset the loss of these commercially zoned parcels."

Commissioner Loftus also lamented that there's no way to give priority to Glen Ellyn residents with disabilities.

The development promises to offer more independence to those who are able to take advantage of its support services for disabled residents.

A note from resident J.B. Bletsas, which was read during the public comment portion, said, he has lived in Glen Ellyn since he was a child. Bletsas, who works as a mail carrier in Chicago, wrote, "The Full Circle development is important to me because I have autism spectrum disorder."

He wrote, "My dream is to live in my own apartment in the near future. I love my parents, but I don't want to live with them for the rest of my life."

The Glen Ellyn Village Board will review the development proposal on Feb. 18. Trustees have until Feb. 28 to make a final decision.