Oswego Village Board OKs concept plans for four-story, 42-unit apartment building for seniors south of Route 30

The Oswego Village Board has approved concept plans for a four-story, 42-unit rental apartment building for independent living seniors just south of Route 30 and east of Douglas Road.

During a March 1 meeting, board member Tom Guist voted “present” on the motion to approve the plans with all other board members casting ballots in favor of the project as proposed by the DeVille Manor Limited Partnership.

The Village’s Planning and Zoning Commission reviewed and approved an advisory recommendation in support of the concept plans Feb. 10.

The apartment building is proposed for construction on a vacant 2.72-acre parcel at the northeast corner of Wiesbrook Drive and Fifth Street.

In a report on the project, Rod Zenner, the village’s development services director, said village staff is recommending approval of the concept plans.

As proposed, the apartment building would contain 32 one-bedroom and 10 two-bedroom apartment units.

The undeveloped project site currently is zoned B-2, community shopping district, and the village’s comprehensive plan calls for “mix commercial” development on the site.

However, Zenner said in looking at the specifics of the property the lot has been on the market for an extended period of time without receiving any interest for commercial use.

“This may be due to the fact that the parcel is some distance away from Route 30, with limited visibility to the Route 30 corridor,” Zenner said.

He suggested the proposed apartment building may be a more fitting use for the site.

“The location is adjacent to a multifamily development to the west. The site can serve as a buffer between the more commercial and industrial uses to the north and east and the residential uses to the south and west,” he said.

Zenner also noted the site would put apartment residents within walking distance to nearby retail and entertainment businesses at the Townes Crossing shopping center.

As proposed, Zenner said the building would be on the east side of the site, facing Fifth Street.

“A dog park is proposed adjacent to the building on the south side and will be fenced with a solid vinyl fence. The parking lot will be located along the east side of the building. On the eastern most end of the site is a shared open space amenity that includes a grilling station, a walking trail, and a tot lot,” Zenner said.

Zenner said the apartment building would provide affordable housing through an Illinois Housing Development Authority program that provides tax credits for affordable housing projects.

Zenner said the village already has a similar independent senior living project, Three Diamond Senior Living apartments, along the east of Orchard Road, just north of Route 34.

“The Three Diamond project utilized the same tax credit program from the IHDA to fund the affordable housing project as DeVille Manor is intending to utilize,” Zenner said.

The Deville Manor Limited Partnership representative told the Village Board that seniors are near and dear to their hearts, and they have upwards of 270 properties such as this, many in their second phase of development.