Please keep those emails flooding in to Naperville City Council today--we are making a difference!
Quick update...we had a Naperville City Council member reach out to us with some help and guidance before tonight's (4/20) meeting/vote (hence our glimmer of hope!) He was very clear that while the outpouring has drawn attention to the issue, letters must be accurate.
So, just to clarify:
The 67-acre parcel in Pulte's proposal is currently owned by Nokia as part of its campus and is uniquely ADJACENT to both Herrick Lake and Danada Forest Preserves. Much of the parcel has been open space with fields for decades. Part of the parcel is surrounded on three sides by forest preserve land, which is happens to be very close to the forest preserve's bald eagle nest and Great Blue Heron rookery.
A development of this size, density and scope will, of course, have negative environmental impacts to the adjacent preserves and habitats, even despite the best intentions.
Pulte is trying to push this approval quickly through city council, asking for a vote tonight (4/20) before the newly elected board members take office. There has been no official presentation yet to the board and little time for proper public feedback and discussion at the city council level, especially given the large scope of this development.
A little background:
1. While DuPage Forest Preserve staff members (not elected commissioners) have previously responded to this proposal with some suggestions, we feel that the Forest Preserve staff has just asked the minimum of Pulte--not enough to protect Forest Preserve land from encroachment, damage to wetlands, disruption of habitat and drainage issues in perpetuity. Putle has responded by adding a 25-foot "buffer."
In truth, we have been very disappointed in the Forest Preserve's meager action on this project. We can do much better. We also have asked the DuPage Forest Preserve Commissioners (elected) to weigh in on this. So far, only one has. (Feel free to reach out to your elected commissioner, https://www.dupageforest.org/our-board/board-commissioners
3. While not required, we have asked the City and Forest Preserve to commission and INDEPENDENT Environmental Impact Study as a best practice since this is such a sensitive area. We also have asked for a Conservation Easement to protect some of the existing open space on this property. Both requests have been ignored.
4. In February 2020, when rezoning this parcel R-2, the Naperville City Council put in place a PUD to protect this land, with eight criteria that future developers must meet. We do not believe Pulte has met this criteria in its current plan, specifically in terms of the density (which is too high given this fragile location, 227 lots on 67 acres) and lack open space (the bare minimum). There is one two-acre "urban" park for 700 residents.
PUD: 1.1. The design of the planned unit development presents an innovative and creative approach to the development of land and living environments. 1.2. The planned unit development meets the requirements and standards of the planned unit development regulations. 1.3. The physical design of the planned unit development efficiently utilizes the land and adequately provides for transportation and public facilities while preserving the natural features of the site. 1.4. Open space, outdoor common area, and recreational facilities are provided. 1.5. The modifications in design standards from the subdivision control regulations and the waivers in bulk regulations from the zoning regulations fulfill the intent of those regulations. 1.6. The planned unit development is compatible with the adjacent properties and nearby land uses. 1.7. The planned unit development fulfills the objectives of the comprehensive plan and planning policies of the City.
Thanks again for voicing your concerns to the people elected to protect our community. Please urge them to vote down this proposal and to review all the documents presented in this case. Thank you!
City Council email addresses:
council@naperville.il.us
coynek@naperville.il.us
brodheadj@naperville.il.us
gustinp@naperville.il.us
hinterlongp@naperville.il.us
kellyp@naperville.il.us
krummenj@naperville.il.us
sullivant@naperville.il.us
whiteb@naperville.il.us
City Council members:
Paul Hinterlong
PHONE (630) 305-5362
EMAIL hinterlongp@naperville.il.us
Councilman Hinterlong's current term expires in 2023.
Theresa Sullivan
PHONE(630) 305-5334
EMAIL sullivant@naperville.il.us
Councilwoman Sullivan’s current term expires in 2023.
Judith Brodhead
PHONE (630) 305-5335
EMAIL brodheadj@naperville.il.us
Councilwoman Brodhead's current term expires in 2021. - Term Limit
Kevin Coyne
PHONE (630) 305-5331
EMAIL coynek@naperville.il.us
Councilman Coyne's current term expires in 2021.
Patricia A. Gustin
PHONE (630) 305-5332
EMAIL gustinp@naperville.il.us
Councilwoman Gustin's current term expires in 2023.
Patrick Kelly
PHONE (630) 305-5336
EMAIL kellyp@naperville.il.us
Councilman Kelly’s current term expires in 2023.
John Krummen
PHONE (630) 305-5333
EMAIL krummenj@naperville.il.us
Councilman Krummen's current term expires in 2021.
Dr. Benjamin M. White
PHONE (630) 305-5318
EMAIL whiteb@naperville.il.us
Councilman White's current term expires in 2021.
Mayor Steve Chirico
PHONE (630) 420-6018
EMAIL mayor@naperville.il.us
Mayor Chirico's current term expires in 2023.