Palatine resident Frank Annerino said that he is not opposed to group homes, but believes the village needs to do a better job regulating them.

"I want to make clear here that we are not against group homes, I know that some people want to make that the case. That's not the case," Annerino said during a Tuesday Plan Commission meeting. "What I want to do here is regulate the group homes so that we can maintain residential character of single family zoned areas."

At the heart of the discussion is a proposal by NeuroRestorative, a residential rehabilitation provider based in Carbondale, to open a group home in Annerino's neighborhood near Dundee Road and Northwest Highway.

Group homes are protected by the Federal Fair Housing Act. The homes can serve a variety of populations, including people with disabilities, individuals recovering from substance abuse or people who have suffered abuse.

Palatine has about 12 group homes that are approved, including WINGS, which serves homeless and abused women and children, and the Little City Foundation, which serves autistic children and those with developmental disabilities.

NeuroRestorative focuses on rehab for people with brain and spinal chord injuries. Among the populations it serves are veterans and military personnel.

"The thing with a brain injury is that any one of us tonight, on the way to where we are going, could have a car wreck and have a brain injury," said Chris Williamson, state director for NeuroRestorative.

Williamson said they have a good neighbor policy, part of which is too blend into a neighborhood. He said they do not do any adverstising or put up any signs, and they don't make any changes to the exterior of the home, except, possibly, for a wheel chair ramp when needed.

A previous Plan Commission meeting on the topic attracted about 80 residents.

Annerino said believes Palatine's regulations regarding group homes are too lax. The village allows group homes to open with a maximum of eight residents, beyond that they have to seek a special use. Annerino said the number should be four.

After two public hearings on the topic and hours of testimony, the Plan Commission failed to make a recommendation on the number of residents group homes could have. A motion to lower it to 6 ended in a tie. The commission did recommend a change in parking requirements – one spot per employee per shift and one spot for each resident who has a car on site.

The Palatine Village Council will consider the matter in March. One legal issue that could arise is whether NeuroRestorative's proposal is subject to exist zoning law, or whether it will have to comply with any new changes approved by the council.

NeuroRestorative's Facilities Operations Director Steve Miller said the organization's plans are moving forward and that the Palatine home would serve five people.

"There's a lot of rhetoric tonight that is not based on any sort of fact," Miller said.

Miller said that the reaction to NeuroRestorative's proposal in Palatine is typical. "This is all emotion in here tonight."