Area Seniors Could Get New Housing in Mount Pleasant

Editor's Note: We mistakenly said that 120 part-time construction jobs would be created with the Legacy Woods project. Instead, the story should read full-time jobs. We regret the error.

A potential residential development in could give area seniors a new home.

Using the term, "affordable," developer Michael Lerner on Nov. 15 told trustees that he is requesting a zoning change for just over five acres at Airline Road and Kinzie for a 69-unit senior living apartment building. The apartments will be for independent living but will not be full-market rental units.

"I like this site very much," Lerner said. "It's in a great location, near a lot of services."

Lerner is also the developer of the Regency West apartments behind the former Pick 'n' Save store off of Green Bay Road.

As designed, apartments will include a mix of one bedroom/one bathroom; two bedroom/one bathroom; and two bedrooms/two bathroom units and range in price from $564 to $820 per month, or 50 to 60 percent of Medicaid income of Racine County.

"We pay full taxes, but these apartments are not subsidized," Lerner explained. "We're using tax credits to provide these lower rents for residents."

Trustees Gary Feest and Karen Albeck were concerned about the three-story building only having one elevator, but Lerner said typical calculations allow for one elevator for every 100 apartments. He used Killarney Kourt in Sturtevant to support his position.

"I've talked to residents there, and they don't have any issues," he answered. Further, the elevator will be large enough to accommodate a gurney.

The development is expected to bring over 120 full-time construction jobs to the area and create three full-time jobs once its complete.

Lerner's senior development goes before the Mount Pleasant Planning Commission at 1 pm on Wed., Nov. 23, but there could be an issue with protective covenants for that commercial subdivision. Because the covenants are in place, property owners in the neighborhood can obstruct the zoning change, which could possibly send Lerner back to the drawing table for another location.