Controversial Darien Apartments Coming Before Council Final Time

Darien IL

03 September, 2021

3:29 PM

Description

DARIEN, IL — The final plan for the apartment complex on Sokol Court is going before the Darien City Council on Tuesday. In May, the council gave preliminary approval for the Darien Heights apartments for the southeast corner of South Frontage Road and Sokol Court, east of the Extended Stay America hotel. That was after an emotional meeting, with at least a couple of aldermen upset over written comments they deemed derogatory toward renters. One said some comments came off as racist and classist. Residents also objected to the proposed building's height, its closeness to a children's park and the effects on drainage. They also questioned whether people would rent at an apartment complex facing an expressway. On Aug. 18, the city's Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6-2 for the final plan for the apartments. And the Municipal Services Committee approved it 2-0 the next week. Most recently, the city responded to concerns from the nearby Preserves of Waterfall Glen Townhome Association, which focused on stormwater issues related to the proposed complex. In response, Jordan Yanke, the city's senior planner, said in a memo that the stormwater from the apartments would be carried by storm sewer and overland flow would go to an existing pond. "In the event that any of the infrastructure should fail, the City does have the right to complete repairs and invoice the property owner of the detention/retention facility," Yanke said. "Any example of such would be should a tree fall and block the outgoing flow, the City would respond and remove the blockage to prevent any negative impact and invoice the (homeowners association)." The City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at City Hall. The information on the final plan is part of the meeting's agenda packet. The developer is Paul Swanson of Mount Prospect-based Paul Swanson Associates. Years ago, the city approved the property in question for condos, but Swanson said apartments were more in demand than condos. At the May council meeting, the council voted 4-3 for the apartments, with Mayor Joseph Marchese breaking the tie.