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Volo planning panel recommends approval for Wentworth Homes group home at 34052 N Fischer Dr
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted 6–1 to recommend the Village Board approve a special use permit for Wentworth Homes LLC to operate an eight-resident Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) at 34052 N Fischer Dr, conditioned on compliance with 59 Ill. Adm. Code 115 after neighbors raised concerns about traffic, sprinklers and neighborhood character.
The Planning and Zoning Commission of the Village of Volo recommended on Feb. 24 that the Village Board approve a special use permit allowing Wentworth Homes LLC to operate a group home for up to eight adults with developmental disabilities at 34052 N Fischer Dr.
Chairperson David O’Bryan opened the public hearing on the application and said the proposed use would be a Community Integrated Living Arrangement. Village Administrator May told commissioners the parcel was annexed in 1998 (Ordinance No. O-98-94) and was zoned Rural Estate in 2000 (Ordinance No. O-00-127); he also noted that Lake County’s R-1 zoning permits group homes by right under the Lake County Unified Development Ordinance.
Moshe Levovitz and Avraham (Avi) Dimarsky, founders and operators of Wentworth Homes, introduced themselves and outlined the company’s management plans. Attorney Katarina Karac of Birchwood Law described CILA operations and how the proposed residence would be managed, addressing the Village’s standards for special uses.
Attorney Sarah Reusche of Lavelle Law, representing 38 Fischer Estates property owners, argued the applicants did not satisfy the Village’s special-use standards and that the neighborhood was not suitable for this location. Fourteen neighbors who spoke in opposition said they support group homes in principle but cited traffic, parking, drainage and sewer capacity, potential impacts on property values and neighborhood character, and questioned the applicants’ prior experience and the feasibility of installing required fire sprinklers and accessibility improvements. One resident spoke in support, citing personal experience with a family member in a group home and the community need for additional placements.
After public comment, Attorney Karac responded to the concerns and commissioners discussed fire-sprinkler installation, parking and traffic impacts. Commissioner Grigoletti moved and Commissioner Uglinica seconded a recommendation that the Village Board approve the special use permit for 34052 N Fischer Dr, conditioned on operation as a CILA pursuant to 59 Ill. Adm. Code 115. On roll call, Commissioners O’Bryan, Alt, Birutas, Gilsinger, Grigoletti and Guffey voted “aye”; Commissioner Uglinica voted “nay.” The motion carried, 6–1.
The Commission then closed the public hearing by unanimous roll call and adjourned the meeting at 8:45 p.m.
The recommendation now goes to the Village Board, which will make the final decision on the special-use permit.
