'This Is Ridiculous': Clarendon Hills OKs Condo Complex

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Just about every speaker at Monday's Clarendon Hills Village Board meeting opposed a planned four-story condo complex.

But the Village Board majority voted for it anyway, approving zoning exceptions to make it a reality.

Village Hall's meeting chamber was standing-room only, with the crowd spilling out into the hallway. A couple of residents sat on the floor, one next to a village trustee.

Another 40 residents watched the meeting online.

Called Parkside Place, the complex would include covered parking, ground-floor commercial space and 17 condo units.

Late last month, the zoning board rejected the developer's proposal to include a dozen "boutique" hotel rooms. It was seen as a step in favor of the neighborhood.

Chris Vokaty lives next door to the proposed development at 104 Walker Ave. He organized an online petition, which contained 539 signatures as of Tuesday morning.

He said he was not against development. But he said this one was next to houses and near Walker Elementary School.

"It comes at a huge price for those who have invested in their homes," he told the board.

Resident Katie Schwarz, who also lives nearby, said she and others moved to Clarendon Hills because it seems like the fictional Mayberry.

"How can this be Mayberry when there is a four-story building next to them?" she asked. "If the board decided to vote for this, you are not being fair and kind to your neighbors."

A standing-room-only crowd attended Monday's Clarendon Hills Village Board meeting. A couple of people sat on the floor, with one near Trustee Denise Kavuliak. (David Giuliani/Patch)

During a presentation, Trustee Omar Chaudhry spoke about the last 34 years, during which the owning family of 104 Walker attempted to sell the property to developers. But every effort fell through, he said.

In spring 2024, the Village Board voted to buy the wooded land at 104 Walker Ave. for $1.4 million. Earlier this summer, the village sold it under contract for $1.8 million to Willowbrook-based Redwood Construction.

Chaudhry said the proposed condo complex is the lowest-density option over the last three decades.

Such development, he said, would help downtown thrive and provide housing options for young professionals and empty nesters.

In the board's discussion, Trustee John Weicher said he knew he would get "screamed at" for his comments.

While expressing sympathy for residents' arguments, he asked, "Do people sincerely believe a 17-unit condo building is going to create such an exorbitant traffic risk?"

Audience members could be heard saying yes.

He asked why neighbors did not feel the same way about other buildings just across the street and a coming coffee shop.

"Walker (Elementary) is close, but it is close to everything that is going on downtown," Weicher said.

The board voted 5-1 for the project's zoning.

When asked for her vote, Trustee Denise Kavuliak was silent for a moment.

"I'm going to say no, but I'm going to couch that with the fact that I think there were irregularities in this process. If those irregularities did not exist, I would be a yes," she said.

She did not identify the irregularities.

After the vote, a resident said, "What happened?"

Katie Schwarz, who was sitting on the floor, got up and said she was so disappointed.

She turned to the board and said, "You are not listening to the people."

As she neared the door, Schwarz said, "I'm going to try to get some commercial at the end of Colfax and at the end of Walker near some of you. And maybe let's put it on the sledding hill, too. You guys, this is ridiculous."

Assistant Village Manager Mera Johnson said Schwarz was disrupting the proceedings.

"Please, we want to continue our meeting," Johnson said.

After the meeting, an executive from Redwood Construction said in an email that representatives of the developer were grateful for the approval.

"(W)e look forward to finalizing plans for a beautiful addition to Clarendon Hills," said Steve Blentlinger, a Redwood vice president. "While we are disappointed that the original plan, including the boutique hotel, could not move forward, we respect the process and remain fully committed to being good stewards of the community."

He said they have heard the public comments and will continue to listen in good faith.

"Our goal is to maintain open, transparent communication, be a good neighbor, and build something that reflects the values and character of Clarendon Hills," Blentlinger said.

Clarendon Hills Trustee Omar Chaudhry (right) told his colleagues Tuesday that a condo complex would benefit the village's downtown. Next to him is Paul Dalen, acting village manager. (David Giuliani/Patch)