Dear friends of Herrick Lake and Danada,
Disappointing news...while we hoped over the last several weeks Pulte would at the very least listen to public feedback and improve its development proposal for the 67-acre Nokia property that shares a one-mile border with Herrick Lakes and Danada Forest Preserves, unfortunately the corporation has not budged in any meaningful way.
This is disheartening but should not be defeating. The public hearing with the Naperville Planning Commission discussing this plan will take place via Zoom at 7 p.m. Feb. 3. We need you to share your concerns before then, directly with each commission member to make sure the issue gets the attention and care it deserves. A brief email message would be greatly appreciated to help our momentum.
This is not just another meeting, another vote. This is a moment that could allow many negative permanent impacts to become a reality if Pulte is not at least held to reasonable standards in density, open space and natural landscape preservation, especially since this parcel adjoins TWO forest preserves.
•Currently, in Pulte's "revised" plan, the high housing density is still basically the same (it removed what looks like a meager six lots/units from the original 240) as is the same glaringly lack of open space.
•Specifically, in terms of open space, neighbors have asked Pulte at minimum to preserve an L-shaped berm area with scores of beautiful, mature trees to remain as an open space transition between the proposed development and forest preserve as well as an existing small neighborhood (60-year-old Fairmeadow). In the past two decades, this connected berm space has become a safe corridor for wildlife (Deer, Coyote, Sandhill Cranes, Great Blue Herons, etc.)
Pulte repeatedly has refused to save this natural buffer, which roughly amounts to two acres.
Instead, the berm and most of the existing mature trees will be razed, even along the forest preserve border. While Pulte is touting that the revised plan keeps some trees, close examination shows it's actually, sadly very few, and those will be replaced by small river birch and other "screening."
Please take a few moments today to share your concerns with each member of the Naperville Planning Commission and urge them to act as good stewards of the land and community.
Manas Athanikar, Manas.Athanikar@naperville.il.us
Krishna Bansal, Krishna.Bansal@naperville.il.us
Brett Fessler, Brett.Fessler@naperville.il.us
Bill Habel, Bill.Habel@naperville.il.us
Bruce Hanson, Bruce.Hanson@naperville.il.us
Anthony Losurdo, Anthony.Losurdo@naperville.il.us
Carl Richelia, Richeliac@naperville.il.us
Oriana Van Someren, VanSomerenO@naperville.il.us
Whitney Robbins, RobbinsW@naperville.il.us
Please share this message and our petition! Thank you!
To follow or participate in the Feb. 3 meeting:
https://www.naperville.il.us/government/board-and-commissions/planning-and-zoning-commission/
You can view Pulte's plans here:
P.S. As an example, if you're curious what some of this property on the Nokia/Fairmeadow/forest preserve border that's set to be razed looks like, attached is a sampling of existing views and trees.