Back to regular view • Print this page

There was a little bit of shouting, a lot of confusion and, finally, a move toward determining the fate of six acres slated for the Ponds of Hobson West townhouse development.

The council said it had no interest in purchasing the land between Plainfield/Naperville Road and West Street, and ultimately rezoned it to allow for construction of 22 townhouse units. However, it also voted, 7 to 2, to accept a modified version of developer Crestview Builders' proposal that the land sit vacant for six months after the council approves ordinances allowing the project to go forward.

Council members said in addition to remaining undeveloped, during that time the city will continue to look for outside agencies that might be interested in purchasing the land and preserving it as open space.

It's a move that didn't sit well with a contingency of residents from the nearby Hobson West neighborhood, who at times verbally shouted out their displeasure. A handful came forward to say if the land couldn't remain untouched, at the very least keeping its current single-family zoning designation would be prudent.

"All options have not been fully researched," said resident Marion Baran, addressing the council. "Research should be continued."

The council, however, didn't hold out a lot of hope that grant money could be found, after examining city staff's report that showed possible funding sources such as the Open Spaces Lands Acquisition and Development Grant, the DuPage Community Foundation's Environmental grant and the DuPage County Forest Preserve District weren't proving to be viable options.

"They've gone beyond investigating every organization whose mission it is to acquire open space," Councilman John Rosanova said. "There was really nothing. If this motion passed, it says the city council will buy this land and be in the open space acquisition business."

Then came the inevitable mention of how such a purchase could impact the tax rate.

"I'll put my two cents in," Councilman James Boyajian said. "Or rather, my six cents, as that's what the tax rate could go up if we buy this. And I won't put that burden on the taxpayers."

There was also concern this could set a precedent for buying land in the future. But Councilwoman Darlene Senger said she doesn't see this as a problem.

"This isn't to say we're going to buy every vacant piece of land in town," Senger said. "But with all the discussions going on around the Caroline Martin Mitchell Mansion, this is probably the most prudent thing we can do, is to put it on hold for a while."

At the Oct. 17 meeting when the council last discussed the acreage, it called for an appraisal of the land. Crestview Builders attorney Kathy West said the developer would "negotiate in good faith" with anyone who came forward with an interest in the property.

Contact Kate Houlihan at 630-416-5224 or khoulihan@scn1.com