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Elm Grove panel backs removing assisted‑living uses from I‑1 and establishes new Rm‑3 district for Heritage facility
Summary
On Feb. 2, 2026, the Elm Grove Plan Commission unanimously recommended amending the I‑1 zoning code to remove CBRF/RCAC references and creating a new Rm‑3 multiple‑family district so the Heritage Elm Grove Senior Living at 800 Wall Street remains a permitted use; both recommendations passed 7‑0 and advance to the Board of Trustees.
The Elm Grove Plan Commission voted unanimously Feb. 2 to recommend two zoning changes that would remove community‑based residential facilities (CBRFs) and residential care apartment complexes (RCACs) from the village's I‑1 Institutional District and create a new Rm‑3 Multiple‑Family Residential District.
Assistant Village Manager Ethan Sowl said the amendments are the product of work by multiple boards and committees since early 2025 and that "the only property in the I‑1 District that falls into the CBRF/RCAC category is the Heritage Elm Grove Senior Living facility at 800 Wall Street." He told commissioners the Board of Trustees remanded the I‑1 review last year and that the Commission will consider a rezoning recommendation for the Heritage property at its March meeting.
"The intent of these amendments is to prevent CBRF and RCAC facilities from locating on existing I‑1 zoned properties within the Village," Plan Commission member Ms. Stuckert said, adding that "it may be difficult for Village EMS and public safety operations to support additional large facilities." Village Attorney Hector de la Mora said that if both ordinances are approved by the Board, the Heritage property would be a legal nonconforming use until formal rezoning, noting that "a legal nonconforming use assures them of the same rights that they have currently under the I‑1 district."
President Koleski opened a public hearing on each draft ordinance and, observing no public comment, closed both hearings. On motions from Plan Commission members, the panel recommended approval of an ordinance amending §335‑26 (I‑1 Institutional District) to remove references to CBRFs and RCACs and of an ordinance creating §335‑21.2 (Rm‑3 Multiple‑Family Residential District). Both recommendations passed on 7‑0 votes and will be forwarded to the Board of Trustees for final action at the end of the month.
The Commission and staff emphasized the process is intended to preserve the Heritage facility's current use while ensuring future conversions of I‑1 parcels to large residential care facilities would require review. Assistant Village Manager Sowl also said that property owners in existing I‑1 zones were notified of the proposed changes. The Commission plans to return in March to consider a formal rezoning recommendation for the Heritage property if the Board approves the ordinance changes.
