"Lisle trustees have sent a developer back to the negotiation table to work out differences with Park District and Library officials.
The project is a joint venture between Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart and Benedictine Health Systems to build senior housing, which will include two four-story buildings with 240 independent-living units and 63 assisted-living units.
Called Villa St. Benedict, the development would be on 27 acres at Maple and Yackley Avenues. The sisters, who live on the site, are asking library and Park District officials for a break on impact fees.
Find out what's happening in Lislewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
According to the proposal, Villa St. Benedict would be owned by the non-profit Benedictine Sisters.
No property-tax revenue would be generated.
Find out what's happening in Lislewith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Impact fees for the library are estimated at $18,800 and from $250,000 to $300,000 for the Park District.
The developer has suggested offering the Park District a 3-acre park on the grounds in lieu of the cash donation.
However, Park District officials contend they were told the park would be private and not accessible to Lisle residents.
"We were never asked to negotiate about the land-cash donation. This was proposed as a private park," said Park District Commissioner Thomas Zakosek.
The developer told trustees Monday that an exemption from impact fees was not being requested.
"We are not asking for a waiver, just a fair fee," said Kathleen West, a representative of the developer.
But both park and library officials want the full amount of impact fees.
"This is our only opportunity to recoup these funds because this is a not-for-profit," said Park Commissioner Barb Will.
Trustee Kim Brondyke questioned if the new residents at the community would be restricted from using the library or the Park District if impact fees were adjusted.
West said that because residents would have access to amenities such as a store, delicatessen, lounges, barbershop, the park-like grounds and Benedictine University, it is unlikely they would use the library or Park District facilities."
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One month later, in November 2002, the Chicago Tribune reported:
"Negotiations between Lisle Park District Board members and the developers of a retirement center on the grounds of the Benedictine Sisters of the Sacred Heart made progress this week on impact fees.
Last month, the two sides were at odds because the sisters requested a break in the fees.
According to their proposal, the non-profit Benedictine Sisters will own the project, therefore no property tax revenue will be generated.
Because of that, the sisters argued, they should be exempt from impact fees.
Impact fees for the Park District were estimated from $250,000 to $300,000. The district requires either impact fees or a land donation.
Since then, the developers of the project, which is a joint venture between the sisters and Benedictine Health Systems, have decided to give 2 acres to the Park District for an interpretive nature center.
The parkland is adjacent to Yackley Road just north of the entrance to the site. According to Park District Director Roy Cripe, the park would include an observation deck that would look out over native grasses and shrubs. The area also would include birdhouses and butterfly houses.
The park would be subject to Park District policies but be maintained by the retirement center.
The senior facility, called Villa St. Benedict, will include two four-story buildings with 240 independent-living units and 63 assisted-living units.
Developers also have yet to negotiate an agreement with the Library District, which estimates impact fees at $18,800.
Also this week, officials from the Lisle-Woodridge Fire District came before the Lisle Village Board, requesting that non-profit ventures like the Benedictine project be required to negotiate impact fees with the Fire District."
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excerpt Library Board of Trustees Meeting July 2002:
"The Village held hearings regarding the Villa St. Benedict Cash Donation, of which the library was not informed.
G. Solnitzky, President of Development and Construction of Villa St. Benedict, came to the Board meeting to ask the library to take a 50% reduction in the cash donation, per our ordinance. He reported that the Park District is taking three acres of land (maintenance free) in lieu of funds.
He stated that Villa St. Benedict has 1200 sq. ft. set aside for a library facility on the site, and that is why they are asking for a 50% reduction.
He said they don't have books yet, but they have a former past regional director of the Chicago library who has developed the program. He said there are 66 cottages, and the manor and center group are apartment complexes for congregate living.
B. Strecker referred to the two packets of information he gave to the Board that outline Villa St. Benedict's request for a 50% reduction in cash donation, and work sheets.
He noted that he believes we should include the assisted care facility as part of the ordinance, and Villa St. Benedict did not include that in their calculations.
B. Long noted that we have a history with older adults that come here and use our facility, and that our library sometimes takes books over to them.
S. Callais added that they also come for programs, and we did not give Devonshire a reduction.
It was noted that Devonshire pays taxes and Villa St. Benedict is 5013C and will not pay taxes.
E. Spiegel noted that we have the ability to accept or reject this proposal, and it is subject to revision by the Village. He added that figuring 5% interest on the principle, at the 50% reduction being requested, would come to $450.00 in lieu of taxes, and the difference is substantial. Our non-resident fee is $255.00.
B. Lund noted that it's possible that in six months or a year, residents of Villa St. Benedict may shift back to our library, and then we don't have any recourse to go back to them then. We already know we have a usage factor.
MOTION: E. Spiegel moved that the ordinance cash donation for Village St. Benedict be $17,900.00. S. Callais seconded. Roll call vote - All aye. B. Strecker will send a letter to the Village and Kathleen West and copy George Solnitzky.
Mr. Solnitzky left the meeting."
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excerpt Library Board of Trustees Meeting Jan 2003:
"Glenn Trembley and George Solnitzky of Villa St. Benedict addressed the Board, requesting reduced impact fees for the 261 units comprising Villa St. Benedict.
They referred to the letter we received on December 30 from the attorneys representing Villa St. Benedict, where they requested a reduction from the calculated amount of their developer’s contribution from $16,275.00 to $11,862.85.
Mr. Trembley and Mr. Solnitzky proposed a method of calculating the fees based on actual population and noted they are tax exempt. They stated that no unit will be occupied by more than two people.
B. Long noted that the out-of-district annual fee for a Lisle Library card is $255.00., so Villa St. Benedict, with 261 units, would generate $67,000.00 a year if it were on the tax rolls. She stated that, as a Trustee, she cannot consider giving them this reduction because it would not be fair to everyone else in town. E. Spiegel pointed out they do not have exemption on impact fees."
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Present Day
excerpt Library Board of Trustees Meeting August 2013:
"Director’s Report
S. Halikias stated she had a variety of networking meetings this month. She met with Jack Fritts, University Librarian from Benedictine University.
She also met with Villa St. Benedict; we are working on strengthening services to these residents..."
