A proposal to build a $10 million apartment building in town for low-income seniors — bankrolled by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development — passed the Crystal Lake City Council by a 5-2 vote Tuesday night.

The three-story structure was approved for a lot on Congress Parkway in a mixed-use area behind the Crystal Point Mall.

Mayor Aaron Shepley and Councilman Ralph Dawson voted against the proposal.

Shepley said he objected to the 60-unit housing project because a stretch Congress Parkway — now privately owned — would have to be taken over by the city under HUD rules.

“I don’t want to create any additional burden on us,” Shepley said.

Dawson said he didn’t like the location: a commercial area and an “ugly view” of the backside of Crystal Point Mall.

“I’d love to see you put it someplace else,” Dawson said.

A maximum of two per unit would be permitted, said Lisa Ingalls, representing the builder, Rockford-based Lutheran Social Services. One of the occupants must be 62 years or older. The other occupant can be of any age.

Rental rates are based on 30 percent of adjusted income, not to exceed $26,300 for one occupant and $30,050 for two.

Council members said they didn’t like the “Frank Lloyd Wright” architectural rendering of the building that the petitioner wanted.

Instead the City Council asked for a Victorian façade and made that design a condition of project approval.

"We'd like to break ground as soon as possible," said Kevin Hagemann, also with Lutheran Social Services of Illinois.