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Planning commission recommends conditional use for 24/7 Kenneth Young Center crisis 'living room' at 1585 Dempster
Summary
The Mount Prospect Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend a conditional use permit allowing the Kenneth Young Center to operate a 24/7 "living room" crisis intervention space at 1585 Dempster Street, subject to conditions on operations, access, safety and reporting.
The Mount Prospect Planning and Zoning Commission on March 26 recommended approval of a conditional use permit to allow the Kenneth Young Center to operate a 24/7 mental‑health crisis intervention “living room” at 1585 Dempster Street.
Staff told the commission the program, which has operated at the site for about two years, provides a low‑barrier alternative to emergency‑room visits and psychiatric hospitalization. The staff presentation described the living room as occupying roughly one‑third of the petitioner’s office space at the Myers Place building and said the program is funded through the Illinois Department of Human Services. "The living room is open 24/7 to individuals experiencing a mental health crisis," staff said, and concluded the program is best categorized as a "unique use" under the zoning code that requires conditional‑use review.
The petitioner, who gave their name and address for the record, described the program’s on‑site services and safety procedures. When a commissioner asked how staff would handle an immediate physical threat, the petitioner said: "If someone is assessed as being, like, an immediate physical threat we would have to, like, have the police come." The petitioner also said staff are trained in de‑escalation and that program operations are coordinated with village departments; staff reported a reduction in service calls in the program’s second year.
Staff recommended a suite of conditions focused on permitted use and program scope, participant eligibility and capacity, staffing and supervision, safety and coordination with emergency responders, parking and site compatibility, and reporting and insurance requirements. Staff said several conditions were derived from the program’s own operations manual and that village staff and the petitioner refined recommended conditions together over several weeks.
Commissioners moved and seconded the recommendation to the Village Board. A roll‑call vote produced unanimous support among commissioners present. The Village Board will consider the final decision at its next regular meeting, which staff said is scheduled for April 7.
The commission’s action is a recommendation; the Village Board has final approval authority under the Mount Prospect zoning ordinance.
