Nothing's been ruled out, she said, including the possibilities of applying for approval again for the same site at 345 N. Eric Drive, considering other properties in the village or -- as has been done in two other cases in the Northwest Suburbs – filing a discrimination lawsuit.
"We're not done. We're not giving up. We had much more support than we had opposition and we were very disappointed by the vote because it seems so illogical," she said.
The proposed 33-unit apartment building would offer housing for people with mental and physical disabilities.
It is billed as permanent, affordable housing that would offer residents case management services through partnerships with the Kenneth Young Center and Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health.
While the area is zoned for manufacturing, the site is adjacent to residential town homes and commercial businesses such as the popular Illinois Shotokan Karate Club. The property has been vacant for more than a decade.
Councilors Tim Millar, Scott Lamerand, Kollin Kozlowski and Brad Helms opposed the project because they said they wanted to keep what little manufacturing space the village has left.
But Berzac said she's unsatisfied with that justification because the area has a history of modified zoning.
In fact, the chief opponent to the project, John DiPasquale, who owns the neighboring karate studio, had to get permission to open his commercial business in the same manufacturing zone. Another dog-care business was allowed to move into the industrial area, too, village officials said.
Berzac said the stigma surrounding those with mental disabilities has followed projects across the area, including in Arlington Heights and Wheeling.
She likened it to a "Not in My Backyard," or, NIMBY, mentality, citing the dozens of neighboring residents, business owners and karate studio parents who voiced concern about safety issues and lowered property values, despite the evidence presented to the contrary.
"We need to understand more from the council because there's no site that won't create a NIMBY reaction," she said. "We can't keep throwing expensive darts in the dark in Palatine."
Village officials, meanwhile, are already in talks with Berzac's team about other possible locations.
Village Manager Reid Ottesen said the council wants to see the project built and has suggested a location near state Highway 53 and Northwest Highway.
DiPasquale said he's prepared to fight again if the project comes back to Eric Drive.
But Berzac said the Eric Drive property is ideal and that waiting it out is also an option.
The developer could try to build more support before applying again, she said. If, in that time, no manufacturing businesses move in, she said, that would be further proof that there's no manufacturing interest there.
"That's part of the question," Berzac said. "The hope of manufacturing -- How long do you want to wait? ... A lot of it seems like in hopes of a future we don't know of."