Petition to Reconsider the Great Lakes Plumbing Expansion Adjacent to Oakwood Residential Homes
Protect Oakwood Residents: Reconsider the Proposed Great Lakes Truck Bay Expansion

*please we do not require any donation for this, just your signature*

My name is Heidi Bajek, and my family lives in the Oakwood subdivision directly adjacent to the proposed Great Lakes Plumbing expansion in Westmont. My husband and I moved here in 2019 with the intention of raising our family and growing old in this wonderful community.

We support local businesses and understand that companies need room to grow. However, growth should not come at the expense of the families who call this neighborhood home.

The current proposal would place a truck bay and employee access point only four feet from residential property lines, including our own. While Great Lakes has stated that operations would be limited to business hours and that noise impacts would be minimal, many nearby residents have experienced situations that raise serious concerns about those assurances.

Residents whose homes border the facility have repeatedly experienced loud industrial activity occurring during early mornings, evenings, weekends, and overnight hours. Families have endured sleep disruptions, excessive lighting, and ongoing concerns about privacy and property maintenance. For those of us with young children, including children with special needs, these disturbances are not merely inconveniences. They directly affect our quality of life, our ability to rest, and our sense of safety in our own homes.

Additional concerns include:

Increased industrial noise directly adjacent to residential backyards.
Bright exterior lighting impacting neighboring homes during nighttime hours.
Loss of privacy due to expanded operations and visibility into residential properties.
Ongoing concerns regarding fencing, property maintenance, and buffering between the business and surrounding homes.
Potential negative impacts on home values and neighborhood character.
This proposal is not simply about one building project. It is about preserving the balance between commercial development and residential living in Westmont.

We are asking the Village of Westmont, the Planning and Zoning Commission, and all decision makers to reconsider approval of the project in its current form and require meaningful alternatives and protections, including:

Relocating the proposed truck bay to the industrial-facing side of the building rather than the residential-facing side.
Constructing a sound-reducing barrier or privacy wall comparable to those used near major roadways and industrial developments.
Strengthening enforcement of existing noise ordinances and business-hour restrictions.
Implementing enhanced lighting controls and shielding to prevent light pollution into neighboring homes.
Creating a long-term buffering plan that genuinely protects the privacy, safety, and quality of life of adjacent residents.

Every homeowner deserves to feel secure in their own backyard. Every family deserves peaceful enjoyment of their home.

Before approving this proposal, we ask community leaders to consider a simple question:

Would you want an industrial truck bay operating just a few feet from your backyard, your children's play area, and your family's safe space?

Please stand with Oakwood residents and urge village officials to reconsider this proposal and require modifications that protect both responsible business growth and the families who live beside it.

Sign this petition to help preserve the safety, privacy, and quality of life of our neighborhood.