The proposed construction of 12 cottages designed for the area’s senior citizens may be coming later this year, following approval by the Lake Forest City Council.
On Jan. 12, the city’s aldermen unanimously approved a series of measures allowing for the construction of a dozen “senior cottages” at the northwest corner of Everett and Telegraph roads in a collaborative effort with the Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH), the Lake Forest — Lake Bluff Senior Citizens Foundation and other groups.
“It’s an exciting piece to bring to our community,” noted Alderwoman Eileen Looby Weber, 4th.
The new cottages will add to the city’s five existing senior cottages on Conway Road.
“This is a project a longtime coming,” Community Development Director Catherine Czerniak said.
City officials indicated that interest grew in building a larger number of cottages, leading to an exploration of possible sites. Eventually the Everett/Telegraph location was selected, according to the city.
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“Importantly, a senior cottage development on this site provides easy access for the residents to grocery stores, restaurants, medical services, the train station, and a church,” according to city documents.
Similar to the existing cottages, the homes will be single-story duplexes and without stairs, with an attached single-car garage, Czerniak said.
As part of the agreement, the city will contribute $350,000 from its Housing Trust Fund and transfer the property to CPAH, which will own and manage the cottages, which will be rental units.
Both CPAH and the Senior Citizens Foundation have lined up separate funding for the construction of the cottages, according to Czerniak. She estimated it will be a $5 million construction project.
Senior Citizens Foundation President Steve Potsic told the City Council there was a great interest in the homes.
“We will have more applications and more eligible people than, in fact, we have cottages,” he said.
Czerniak said the cottages will be available to “income-eligible” residents, anticipating a single-person household would have an annual income limit of approximately $44,000, which is currently 60% of area’s median income.
Selection priority will be given to both current and former Lake Forest residents, and parents of existing city residents and those in surrounding communities, specifically Lake Bluff.
The village of Lake Bluff has expressed an interest in the development project, Czerniak added.
She said a groundbreaking is targeted for later this year, but a completion date has not been determined.