A plan for a three-story, 58 unit affordable housing building at Quentin Road and Poplar Street in Palatine was originally withdrawn by the developer, Northpointe Development of Wisconsin. A revised plan now calls for two stories and 40 units. The building will be constructed on 2.5 acres located at 874-920 N. Quentin Road.
The DH Business Ledger stated that the plan had originally been widely opposed by the neighborhood and got turned down by the Palatine plan commission on July 20th. The village staff had also recommended denial.
Concerns expressed by neighbors and village officials had included:
- Density
- Noise and light pollution
- Increased traffic
- Lack of deceleration lane on Quentin Road
- Changing the character of the neighborhood which consists mostly of single-family homes and townhouses with an apartment complex farther north
The Daily Herald reports that the revised plans would have a mix of one, two and three bedroom units and would be available for rent to individuals whose income ranges between 30% and 80% of Cook County median income.
The median household income in Cook County between 2015 and 2019 was $64,660, according to an August report from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning. Eighty percent of that is $51,728 and 30% is $19,398.
The original plan was withdrawn by the developers before it could be examined by the village council in August. The revised proposal was submitted November 10.
Andy Dumke, principal with Northpointe Development, stated that the revisions address the feedback received over the summer, including during a neighborhood meeting.
The new plan calls for the following:
- Lower density that conforms with the village's multifamily district standards
- Lowering the number of three-bedroom units which is expected to curtail the number of children living in the building
- Building was moved an additional 5 feet east toward Quentin Road
- The clubhouse was incorporated into the building
- Balconies on the western portion of the building (facing single-family homes) were removed
- Landscaping plan was enhanced to include minimum 10 foot trees to shield neighbors at a cost of $50,000
- The entrance at Poplar Street was eliminated due to traffic concerns
- Only entrance would be on Quentin Road
- 10 parking spaces would be reserved for visitors
"We are confident that after collaborating with staff and neighbors, the changes incorporated in the new proposal will result in the success of Quentin Apartments. Further, through the new revisions, we are confident that we have taken every step possible to mitigate the impact of the proposed development on existing neighbors. As much as some neighbors might want to preserve an open field on the site, the affordable housing plan really does fit the neighborhood. The tax credits are a competitive process and they are really hard to get. Obviously in this community, and as far as the state agency is concerned, there is a need for this type of project."
Vice President of Development for Northpointe | Jake Victor
The developers intended to partner with Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin for the approximately $20.4 million proposed project, which was allocated $15 million in low-income housing tax credits by the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
