An East Dundee Village Board meeting turned combative and chaotic Monday night when a developer presenting a concept plan for a 20-unit apartment complex insulted neighboring property owners by calling some of their homes “crappy.”
Joseph Billitteri, owner of Crystal Lakes-based Billitteri Enterprises, presented plans for two buildings — one with 12 units and the other with eight — to be constructed on village-owned land at 406 and 408 Barrington Ave.
Reduced from the 24 units initially proposed last year, Billitteri said he believed the project would improve property values for nearby homeowners, some of whom oppose the development as not fitting in with the neighborhood.
Billitteri will need the property’s zoning to be changed from single-family to multiple-family if he is to proceed.
He argued that his project would beautify the area given the poor conditions of some of the existing houses.
“That neighborhood, in particular, has some really beautiful homes, and there’s some really crappy ones,” he said.
After being asked to clarify that statement later in the meeting, Billitteri said, “There are homes that need work in your neighborhood.”
The site on which he wants to build is owned by the village and had been used as a pumping station location. The station has been removed, and the land is ready for redevelopment.
East Dundee sought proposals for multi-family residential units.
After having his initial design rejected as being too dense and not fitting the neighborhood’s character, Billitteri returned with 20-unit concept.
Before he even had a chance to present it, however, residents spoke out against it, saying they felt blindsided that the project was returning as a multi-family development after they were adamant that the site should be used for single-family homes.
“I can’t believe you guys are even thinking about this,” said Al Koshiol, an East Dundee native who lives next door to the property. “It’s unfathomable to me.”
Mary Beth Ortega, a retired teacher who grew up in East Dundee, said residents have the right to know what is going on and should be shown what the board is considering on the property.
“I feel today that we did not have a voice until now, and it may be too late,” she said.
Kim Brunner said the redesign submitted by Billitteri didn’t impress her. The property is zoned for single-family homes, and “that’s what should be there. Anything else should not be tolerated,” she said.
Trustee Scott Kunze said a concept review does not mean it’s being approved. The project still needs to go through the Planning and Zoning Commission review before the board will vote on it, he said.
“This is not a deal to get this done. This is a deal to start the process. That’s all it is,” Kunze said.
The board is just looking at the design, he said.
“Nobody is taking your voice away. You are all here talking to us right now, and we are listening,” Kunze said.
Billitteri said opposition happens with every development his company proposes.
“The neighbors come out, and they don’t want it there, but what’s best for the community?” he said. “How many people is this going to bring to your downtown to use your (proposed downtown) parking garage and bring in sales taxes?”
His developments create $300,000 in property taxes, and he blasted one critic who charged that Billitteri doesn’t have a stake in the community because he doesn’t live in East Dundee.
“I pay more taxes than all of you combined,” he said, prompting one trustee to chastise both sides for a meeting that was getting “toxic.”
Trustee Sarah Brittin said she understood residents’ concerns, but “I just want to take it down a notch” because yelling back and forth was not productive.
The discussion was tabled until March 4.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.