Hickory Hills has filed suit to temporarily halt the conversion of an apartment building into condominiums.
Earlier this month, the Hickory Hills City Council denied a permit for the project at 8739 S. Roberts Rd. because the plans did not comply with local ordinances. However, the building’s owner, Jozef Ogiela, has since sold three of the building’s six units despite lacking the appropriate permits.
Mayor Michael Howley said he believes Ogiela proceeded with the condo sales upon the advice of his attorney. Ogiela has now hired a new attorney and a property manager.
The city and Ogiela now plan to negotiate a settlement that will include the required upgrades to the remaining three units and the common areas of the building. Council members also noted that they would like that settlement to include the requirement that Ogiela pay all the city’s legal fees and the fees for the permits that should have been issued for the first three condo sales.