Glen Ellyn Approves Memory-Care Facility Over Vocal Opposition

The Glen Ellyn Village Board on Monday approved a zoning change for the construction of a new facility for memory-impaired patients at 190 Geneva Road, over the objections of several neighbors who spoke against the project at the meeting. 

According to the Daily Herald, trustees approved the zoning change 4-1, with only Trustee Diane McGinley dissenting, the majority saying that the facility would not change the character of the community and will be a great service to local elderly residents.

"The elderly with memory disorders are family members of our community members," the paper quoted Trustee Robert Friedberg said. "They live in our community today, and they should stay in our community."

The Chicago Tribune reports that the LaSalle Group’s Autumn Leaves Memory Care Facility, when built, would be 30,000 square feet and house 46 residents with memory issues, such as Alzheimer’s disease. The location is in a residential neighborhood less than a block from the Churchill Elementary School.

At the meeting, nearly two dozen residents of the neighborhood expressed concern about increased traffic, a change in the nature of the neighborhood and a potential precedent for single-family residential areas to be mingled with other types of housing, the paper said. 

"I just think approving this zoning will be very short-sighted," the paper quoted resident Gary Mayo, who lives next-door to the proposed facility, telling the Board. "I think you all know, that's how commercial corridors get started. It all starts with one property.

"Do we really want to vote to approve a project that completely changes the character of neighborhood, upsets residents, creates safety issues near an elementary school, and sets a dangerous precedent, just to generate a few more tax dollars?" the Tribune quoted Mayo adding.

The planned development, which will replace a single-family home on a large lot at the northwest corner of Geneva Road and Bloomingdale Road, will include buffers like a fence and evergreen trees, the Suburban Life reports. 

Glen Ellyn Police Chief Phil Norton said that he didn’t believe the facility would cause traffic issues, although lone “no” vote Trustee McGinley expressed concern that the facility’s parking lot, with only 29 spaces, would result in additional street parking, the paper said. 

"I think it'll have lower noise and intrusion to the neighborhood than even a dozen houses," Trustee Tim Elliot concluded. "If you think 40 Alzheimer's patients would be disruptive, think of what would happen if you had 10 to 15 houses of teenagers over there."

Read more at the Chicago Tribune, the Daily Herald and the Suburban Life websites.