Elmhurst Zoning and Planning Commission members agreed this week to continue a public hearing on the proposed nine-story Residences at 200 North York condominium project until Nov. 15.
The project from RSCK Holdings LLC of Oak Brook proposes 28 luxury condominiums on seven residential floors over two floors of aboveground indoor parking in a 109-foot tall building almost completely filling the site at 196-202 N. York St.
As often happens in hearings before the commission, the proposed project has drawn public comment and objections from neighboring residents and property owners, particularly some residents of condominiums in the Elmhurst One95 building, 195 N. Addison Ave., directly west of the proposed project.
But some of those residents are taking the matter a step further, according to Deanne Mazzochi, who is both a state representative (R-Elmhurst) and an attorney. Mazzochi, who is one of the developers of the One95 building, told zoning commissioners this week (Oct. 18) that she wants to cross-examine members of the RSCK development team.
In an email to Pioneer Press after this week’s meeting, Mazzochi said she understood commissioners and city staff would consult with city attorneys to establish the process. As to her role, Mazzochi said, “I have been asked to speak on behalf of various One95 residents. They asked me to do it because I am a) a lawyer; and b) part of the original development team, and thus have considerable knowledge and history of the site and construction-related issues.”
Mazzochi has already addressed commission members about some of the concerns of One95 residents and her view that the RSCK project fails to meet the standards for the conditional use developers have requested in seeking approval for a building height over 77 feet. Her presentation is available as a document on the city’s BoardDocs site for the project: Microsoft PowerPoint – One95 Developer presentation 10 18 2022 thru slide 42 208 pm (boarddocs.com)
Elmhurst City Planner Eileen Franz said in a conversation with Pioneer Press after Tuesday’s meeting that the cross-examination will be allowed, with procedures to be set before the Nov. 15 meeting.
The plan has drawn objections from neighboring property and business owners, in addition to residents of the Elmhurst One95 building, 195 N. Addison Ave., directly west of the proposed building, who have cited concerns over shadows from the new building, privacy issues and potential traffic problems in the alley between the two sites. Some have called for the new building to be limited to 77 feet in height, with additional setbacks, particularly on the alley side.
During the Oct. 18 meeting, commissioners also heard from nearby business owners, including Lisa Lin, the owner of Holiday Nails, 206 N. York St. Lin, who spoke through an interpreter, told commissioners she was very concerned about the possibility of losing parking spaces on York in front of her store as well as the noise, debris and dust of construction.
“Customers who can’t park, won’t come,” she said. “(Also) the salon should be quiet, relaxing, enjoyable, but with construction that won’t be possible. My nail salon is my lifeline.”
David Slocum, who owns the courtyard building at 186-192 N. York, said he had already been through the disruptions of construction of The Fynn apartment building and the One95 building on Addison Avenue west of his property and was concerned about traffic both in the alley behind his building and on York as well as the construction schedule of the new building.
“I’m not against growth, not against greater density,” Slocum said. “I’m not against development, but I do think (the developers) owe us more detail.”
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Since the hearing has been continued to Nov. 15, interested parties may either speak at that meeting or may submit documents between now and then. New or additional documents and comments can be emailed to City Planner Eileen Franz at [email protected].
Comments and documents relating to the case, including the developer’s 106-page Oct. 4 presentation, can be found at: http://go.boarddocs.com/il/coe/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=CHDRG7695874.
Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.