Darien Mayor Says He'll Defend Apartment Decision

DARIEN, IL — Darien Mayor Joseph Marchese says he will defend his decision to break a City Council tie in favor of a controversial apartment building project that neighbors opposed.

Marchese made his comments later in Monday's meeting after the opponents had left. Earlier, the council had approved the project, which is set for the southeast corner of South Frontage Road and Sokol Court, east of the Extended Stay America hotel.

"It's a project that I feel going forward will add to the community," the mayor told the council. "That's one of the reasons I voted yes. I've been known to make difficult votes in the face of people who are in opposition. If anyone calls me tomorrow and indicates to me they are disappointed in my decision, I will defend my decision because I think it's the right thing to do. I don't make decisions based on how popular they are. I make decisions on whether they are right."

Marchese compared Monday's decision to the City Council's approval of the Sterling Bay warehouse in 2018. An alderman at the time, Marchese joined the majority.

"I truly believe the (apartment) building will add to that community," the mayor said. "I really believe that in my heart."

During public input near the end of the meeting, Paul Swanson, the developer, said the apartment building would be an "outstanding" project.

"I want to tell you that I will not let you down," he said.

Swanson said that when he was driving to Darien for the meeting, he wondered whether the worse storm would be inside or outside the building, referring to the weather.

"Maybe both," he said.

During public input, residents complained about the color of the proposed building. In his later comments, Swanson said he decided to choose a color that would blend into the neighborhood.

"I don't have to do it. I'm going to do it," he said.

Alderman Joe Kenny asked Swanson about that.

"It's not going to be the gray they're talking about?" he said.

Swanson said he would look at tan colors, to which Kenny responded, "I wish you had said it when the people were here. It would have made it a little easier on some of us."

Kenny voted against the project after saying it was not a bad one.

Alderwoman Mary Sullivan, whose ward includes the neighborhood in question, said she said doubted Swanson's shift on the color issue would have changed anyone's feelings in the audience.

"They felt strongly about several things that also were proven not to be true," she said.

Sullivan thanked her fellow aldermen for investigating the issue.

"It was all hands on deck," she said. "It was a very hard decision for me because it was the intended use of the property. What it came down to was density."

She voted against the project, saying it was too dense for the property in question.