Elmhurst Residents Argue Against Nursing Home's Proposal to Build in Single-Family Neighborhood

Elmhurst residents, attorneys, city officials and even one fifth grader went before the city’s Zoning Commission last Thursday to root for — or attest to — a local nursing home’s proposal to construct a building in a residential neighborhood.

More than 30 speakers showed up at the continued public hearing Dec. 8, the Chicago Tribune reported. At the hearing, members of the community discussed Elmhurst Extended Care’s proposal to build a new facility with 40 private rooms and an 11-car parking area on lots it owns on Fremont Avenue, which is made up of single-family homes.

The new building would sit just south of the nursing home’s main facility at 200 E. Lake St. The owners of Elmhurst Extended Care said the new building would only add 11 beds to the 108 that are already housed at the main location, but that the nursing home is in serious need of the extra space.

Most patients are in 3- or 4-person rooms, the Tribune reported, and a new building would significantly increase privacy for residents.

Neighbors — including fifth grader Jorge Zapata, who wore a button-down and red bow tie to the hearing — argued that a new facility would disrupt the character of the neighborhood, especially since it would be built in between two single-family homes. Some families concerned about the integrity of the Fremont community said their families have lived in the neighborhood for as many as two generations.

Family members of EEC patients, on the other hand, pushed the need for quality care and comfort for their loved ones.

Parts of the hearing got more legal than others — Scott Day, the attorney for nursing home owner Love Dave and his family, said the nursing home is asking that the lots EEC owns be rezoned as either commercial shopping and service zones, limited general residential zones or single family residential homes.

While the proposal for the new building is already compliant with the first two options, Day said, rezoning the area as single family residential would be more complicated.

“Give us one accommodation, and that’s the accommodation for lot coverage,” Day said. “That’s essentially what the applicant is asking for.”

Michael Roth represented the group of upset neighbors and said that for the city to even consider rezoning the area and granting EEC use, they’d have to determine the proposal wouldn’t significantly change the character of the area.

Several of the neighbors who had banded together said the project could also decrease the value of their homes. They presented appraisals that suggested building values would decrease by $300,000 if the new EEC branch were constructed.

Day opposed the claim, saying that his information actually projected financial growth in the area.

The Zoning Commission has set Jan. 12 as the date they’ll deliberate the subject and work on recommendations.

No more public testimony will be taken, but city planning staff said the commission will be accepting written comments until 5 p.m. Dec. 22.

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