The Wilmette village board has signed off on a slew of zoning variances sought by Mather LifeWays for an ambitious $23.5 million expansion and renovation of its Wilmette senior living facility.
The vote came despite the village’s zoning board of appeals’ previous rejection of the request and complaints by some residents in the area that the expansion project will hurt their property values and quality of life.
The village board voted 7 to 0 during their May 13 meeting to grant Mather LifeWays the zoning variances it needs to renovate and expand Mather Place of Wilmette, a move the nonprofit organization said is essential to support Wilmette’s growing demand for senior housing.