Because a proposed addition to The Birches in Clarendon Hills will not bring additional students into Hinsdale Township High School District 86, the developer will not have to provide impact fees to the district.

“The developer’s plan is to add efficiency units to the retirement community that will not bring any students into the district, so the Village of Clarendon Hills withdrew the request,” said District 86 Superintendent Nicholas Wahl.

A village ordinance requires developers of new residential units to provide cash to other taxing districts within the boundaries of the village that could be impacted by an increase in new residents.

“In this case, it was discovered that the 21 units being planned are for efficiency apartments that would not generate any new students to the (school) district, so the development does not (qualify for a developer donation),” said Rob Bahan, Clarendon Hills village manager. “But because of the improvements being done, the development likely will generate more in property taxes because of an increase in the property value once the addition is complete.”

The increase in property value — and subsequent increase in annual property taxes paid to the district — will provide a long-term benefit to the school district, Wahl said.

“There is a home on the property right now. Actually we probably will receive more in property taxes because the complex will be changed and improved,” he said.

Representatives of The Birches made a presentation to the Clarendon Hills Village Board Monday, and no public comment was offered during a public hearing, Bahan said.

“The next step is to have an annexation agreement prepared for final board vote either at the next board meeting (Nov. 16) or in December,” he said. “The developer still has a few things to work out, particularly a storm-water management plan, so it may not go to the board until December.”

The Birches, a retirement community that currently houses about 90 residents at 215 55th St., plans to add 21 units south of the existing structure to house those with Alzheimer’s disease.

The property on which the structure will be built is currently located in unincorporated Downers Grove Township.

The village and developer still must negotiate impact fees to be paid to the village, which Bahan said are estimated at about $31,000.

“The facility does generate its share of ambulance calls for emergency services,” Bahan said.

In 1999, when the Birches was constructed, the developer paid $17,000 in impact fees to the village and another $5,000 to the Clarendon Hills Park District, Bahan said.

“A few years back we recalculated the formula, so right now we estimate — based on the number of units planned — the impact fees to the village should be about $31,000,” Bahan said.

Don Scheltens, executive director for the Clarendon Hills Park District, would not comment on the level of impact fees expected to be generated to the Park District due to ongoing negotiations with The Birches.

“We have received a letter from The Birches, and our board has reviewed it in closed session,” Scheltens said. “Whatever contribution we do receive will be earmarked for the development of Kruml Park south of 55th Street. That is the nearest park to The Birches.”