The developer hired by Oak Lawn to build the village`s first senior citizens housing complex said Wednesday that he is withdrawing his proposal because trustees have not provided enough support for the project in the face of community opposition.
”There was just not the level of political support needed to do a project like this,” Frank Zuba said.
”With the complicated level of planning needed for this type of project, you need a close relationship between the developer and the village.”
Over the last six weeks, opposition had escalated to Zuba`s proposal for a three-story, 70-unit apartment complex on the south side of Oak Street between 53rd Court and 53rd Avenue.
Residents who spoke at meetings and public forums on the project complained that the one-acre site was too small for an apartment building and that such a complex shouldn`t be located in an area of single-family homes. They also voiced fears that the project might fail and become a tax burden.
Mayor Ernest Kolb and other village officials, however, said they believe some of the opposition to the project was fired by rumors that the federal government would be involved and that some units would be set aside for low-income residents.
Those rumors, with the implication that crime might follow, have been denied repeatedly.
And those concerns never surfaced publicly. At hearings and forums, residents complained mainly about the project`s location and the possible threat to their property values.
Faced with the community opposition, Zuba told Kolb late Tuesday afternoon that he was pulling out.
When Kolb announced the decision at Tuesday evening`s board meeting, most of the 250 people crowded into the meeting room applauded.
Zuba ”knew he was going to meet much controversy and had the wisdom to withdraw,” Trustee Bill Hefka said.
However, Oak Lawn will not give up on providing affordable housing for senior citizens, Kolb said. He said officials are looking at other locations and hope to have recommendations by March.
Oak Lawn has the second-largest number of residents over age 55 in Cook County, with 24,375 senior citizens out of a population of 56,000. Only Skokie has more.
