Absent Darien Official Speaks On Apartment Controversy

DARIEN, IL — Darien Alderman Tom Chlystek, who did not attend last week's City Council meeting, said Monday he would have voted for a controversial proposed apartment complex.

That would have saved Mayor Joseph Marchese from breaking a tie on the issue. The mayor's vote in favor of the project has drawn criticism online.

Chlystek said he missed the meeting because he was out of town on business.

At last week's meeting, neighbors expressed opposition to the proposed apartments. The building is planned for the southeast corner of South Frontage Road and Sokol Court, east of the Extended Stay America hotel.

In an interview Monday, Chlystek, who represents Ward 4, told Patch that a warehouse, a gas station or another hotel may have gone in the location. With any of those alternatives, Chlystek said, neighbors would have loudly protested.

He said his ward is the mostly densely packed with an estimated 20 to 30 percent containing apartments or condos.

"I live right next to the Farmingdale Apartments," he said. "I don't have any issue with them. I've been a renter before."

Chlystek said apartments could be a long-term benefit for the community because renters may be "test-driving" the community.

"If people like an area, they are going to invest in an area," the alderman said. "It's a way to bring new blood to Darien."

In particular, apartment and condo developments may be a way to bring younger families to Darien at a time when many have expressed concern about dwindling enrollment at Hindale South High School.

Patch covered the emotional City Council meeting last week.