Hello, I am a resident of Autumn Fields and I came here today to express the many concerns I have with a gas station with a convenience store attached and a car wash being built in the proposed location of Caton Farm and Ridge Road in Joliet/Plainfield.  First of all, my property line sits right along the proposed area.  After giving much thought and consideration to this matter, I would like to say that I do not support this decision because I feel the construction SO close to residential living is a detriment to public health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of our community.  In fact, the use of the area adjacent to our property line will be affected in a substantially adverse manner.  There are many factors that have led me to this conclusion.   I would ask you all to think long and hard about whether you, yourself, would feel safe and secure knowing that this huge development was practically in your backyard?  Do you have children?  In fact, I have 2 small children to think about, and I am highly concerned for their general welfare.  

I would like to start off with the obvious problems I foresee.  In addition, the amount of noise on a daily basis, specifically because this will be a high traffic area will directly impact our community.  It is also proposed that it be a diesel gas station, which will draw in many trucks increasing the noise.  And I know gas stations don’t cause noise on their own, but cars, trucks, and steady traffic certainly do.  This steady stream of lights and traffic flow will also hinder the once quiet community.  And unfortunately, these constructions operate 24/7 , 365 days a year, which makes traffic nonstop causing our once quiet community to change drastically.  

There are also risks of ground pollution from spills. The issue of soil contamination has long been an issue in areas near petrol stations.  In fact, prudent buyers will ask for soil contamination tests before buying property. And, insurance companies may consider the proximity of highly flammable liquids an added risk, which would translate to higher premiums.  

My family moved into this community 10 years ago, and we have made this our home.  It is a proven fact that property values drastically decrease and our insurance will likely increase?  Ask yourselves, is this fair to ask of your community homeowners?

Last of all, but probably most important, our home will be downwind of the gas fumes.  The emission of toxic gas fumes poses a risk to public health, particularly those of living right next door.  According to a study by California Air resources, a recommendation that appears in Air Quality and Land Handbook: A Community Health Perspective, residentials housing and “sensitive land uses,” should be at least 300 feet from a gas station.  Can you guarantee this would be a safe distance from our homes so we are not inhaling poisonous fumes?  And did you know that prolonged exposure to benzene concentrations, which is a carcinogen reportedly found in gas fumes, is a known cause to Leukemia?  

To conclude, I would like to remind each of you that there are 7 gas stations within a five mile radius of this proposed location.  Do we really need another one?  With that said, I ask you to put your community homeowners' health, safety and well-being ABOVE potential revenue, and say no to this proposed construction.