Nearly two years ago, the Elgin City Council approved plans for a three-story residential care center to be built on East Chicago Street.
But the center was never built and city rezoning approval set to expire in March, prompting UP Development to go back before the city’s Planning and Zoning Commission Monday to request and time extension for the zoning change and conditional use permit.
Project manager Ryan Wilson told commissioners they anticipate securing public and private financing, including low-income housing tax credit through the Illinois Housing Development Authority, so construction at the 711 E. Chicago St. site can start in 2021.
Without an extension, the zoning would revert back to commercial industrial and plans would need to go through the review and approval process again, said Damir Latinovic, a senior planner for the city of Elgin.
Commissioners endorsed to the extension, recommending the Elgin City Council give the project more time. If construction starts next year, it could be ready for occupancy in 2022, officials said.
Plans for the 40-apartment project remain unchanged from what was presented in 2018, Latinovic said. The building will be made up of one-bedroom and studio units for people with disabilities and on-site support care provided.
The building would have 60 parking spaces for residents and staff and built on the northern half of the 4-acre property so it isn’t affected by a flood plain on the site.
Wilson said they have secured some funding to subsidize living expenses for residents and the Kane County/City of Elgin Consortium is providing $500,000 for construction. No total cost estimate was provided Monday.
Discussions are underway with the Ecker Center for Mental Health to be the facility’s services provider, Wilson said.
“We’ve had good conversations with them and anticipate them to still be the primary service provider for residents, as well as the occupants of the commercial space” on the building’s first floor, he said.