Tinley Park Mired in Legal Mess over Apartment Complex

TINLEY PARK, IL — The Village of Tinley Park might have to consider hiring additional legal help, as it faces a lawsuit by the developer between the Reserve apartment development, in addition to one by residents.

The Village Board on Tuesday approved bringing in Chicago-based Kozacky Weitzel McGrath to handle a lawsuit filed by nine Tinley residents last month, reports the Daily Southtown.

The lawsuit asks a Cook County Circuit Court judge to declare "null and void and unenforceable" changes to zoning regulations in the village's downtown district, contending that they were made to clear the way for The Reserve project.

Also this week, Reserve developer Buckeye Community Hope Foundation filed federal suit against the village, claiming that in delaying approval of the project, officials violated federal and state fair housing laws. Planned for the northeast corner of 183rd Street and Oak Park Avenue, the 47-unit project was designed to offer housing for low- and moderate-income renters. Buckeye claims opposition to the project "is explicitly based on discriminatory attitudes toward African-Americans" who might be future tenants.

Trustee Brian Younker called Buckeye's claims "appalling, at best," stating that "race has nothing to do with it, none whatsoever."

>>Read more from the Daily Southtown.