Hinsdale residents will have the chance to offer their input on a proposed senior living complex at a March public hearing before the Hinsdale Plan Commission.
Trustees Tuesday referred to the commission the application for a $95 million senior living development on a portion of the IBLP property at 707 W. Ogden Ave. Ryan Companies wants to build Clarendale of Hinsdale Senior Residences, a 262-unit, 330,000-square-foot complex on about 17 acres north of Ogden and west of Adams Street.
The developer is requesting a change in zoning (institutional buildings to residential), a change in the zoning code to allow a planned unit development in a residential district on a 15-acre lot instead of the required 20 acres and PUD approval for the 16.8-acre site.
“This is a complicated project,” Trustee Luke Stifflear said.
Trustees, who voted 5-1 to refer the project, said they think this type of development is needed. But they questioned its size, setback from Ogden Avenue, height, architecture and public benefit.
Trustee Scott Banke said the proposed architecture is inconsistent with other buildings in the village and questioned whether it is appropriate for a site that serves as a gateway into the village.
“As Ryan is making an investment in the village, the village is also making an investment in Ryan,” Banke said.
Trustee Laurel Haarlow, who voted no, raised many objections to the project. She also said she believes the village should look into ways to finance purchase of the property — the largest undeveloped piece of land of its size in Hinsdale — for use as a park.
“I don’t think it’s the best use of this land for the village,” she said.
Trustee Matt Posthuma agreed a park would be the best use in an ideal world but questioned whether that would be financially realistic. He encouraged the developer to discern the theme of trustees’ comments.
“I think we’re looking for something that is a little more understated, a little more subtle,” he said. “We’re not looking for some large, institutional, behemoth of a building.”
Village President Tom Cauley encouraged Ryan Companies to take trustees’ concerns seriously. Dave Erickson, vice president of real estate development for Ryan, said he would.
“We’ll listen and there is clarity based on the feedback tonight, so I appreciate it,” he said.
After plan commissioners hold a public hearing on the concept plan, they will deliberate and then make a recommendation to the village board. If the village board approves the concept plan, the developer will need to return with a detailed plan that also must be reviewed by the plan commission and approved by the village board.
