On January 2 the "Fat Lady Sang".   It was a little out of tune, and the lyrics were not what we wanted to hear but toward the end it sweetened up.

 

By a 5-4 vote the City Council approved the rezoning of the property at 1000 Plainfield / Naperville Road into R3A Multi Family and also approved the preliminary PUD (Planned Unit Development) for 22 townhouses.

 

After all of the discussion by the city council members about how great it would be as open land they added a condition.   They added a 12 month moratorium on any physical activity on the property (except for normal maintenance) while the city and/or us tries to convince the Park District to purchase the property or to find someone to purchase the property.   I also remember that Mr. Brestal specified that his client would use the appraisal as R1A - Single Family as of the day before the first City Council meeting on this subject in September.

 

A number of us attended the January 4th Park District meeting and urged the Park District to purchase the property.

 

There is a Conservation  program which provides substantial federal income tax advantages, specific details can be obtained from Brook McDonald at the Conservation Foundation.   Briefly, two appraisals are obtained.  One appraisal is a "Before" appraisal, the second is an "After" full development.  The difference is the "Development Value" .  This development value can be deducted from federal income taxes, anything not used in a year can be carried forward for a number of years (I think 10) until it is used up.  

 

The effort which we have put forth in fighting this, while not successful, was impressive to both our selves as well as many people in the community.    While ultimately the "You can't fight City Hall" was essentially correct we demonstrated the not every developer's wants (thank goodness they do not have needs) was going to be rubber stamped without a fight.

 

This is even more important in the years to come where the land left is small parcels scattered throughout the city.  

 

The Maynland Farm property, our fight, the TOD (Transportation Oriented Development) around the train station, the 120 Apartments proposal for 75th St west of COD building are just in the forefront of the future issues that are sure to arise.   

 

While I have a substantial email list there is now in existence a web site called www.napervoice.com  which is dedicated to supporting people who would like to see development in the city be responsive to  the citizens and especially to the citizens adjacent to a proposed development.    Please monitor it and support it and support other citizens groups in other parts of the city who are objecting to a development.  

 

I do not know who said "United we stand, divided we fall" but it is especially appropriate in these situations.   The developers, and their hired guns depend on a population that is apathetic and lethargic.

 

We all work for a living and/or have small children or a combination of both, we are tired and exhausted in the evenings but we must become more aware and just a little bit more politically active.   I have been surprised at the hundreds if not thousands of people who watch the City Council and Park District on cable.   Many have telephoned and emailed support to me.   We must convert that into votes in the elections for City Council and Park District for candidates that think the way we do.

 

Except for anything which may come up relative to the purchase of the property this will be the last email on this subject.   

 

I thank you all for your support and tolerating my blurbs. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Ponds of Hobson West protest would not have had what little success if did without the help of (listed in no particular order):

 

- All of the people who took the time in the evenings to attend both the Planning Commission and City Council meetings and sit quietly wearing their "Vote No" yellow tags.

- All of the people who went to the podium and offered testimony.

- The Hobson West Board.

- The Hobson West block captains.

- George McConaghy

- Marty and Bob Ellig

- Warren Gill

- Rod Randall

- Mac Smith

- Sue Kursar

- Paula Dulli

- Barb Orth

- Mary Jo Braun

- Sally Adrian

- Jennifer and Mike Kashur

- Diane and Francis Lubarski

- Rhonda Levy

- Cathy Code

- Dennis Papiernik

- Susan Kaley

- Tonia DeWaele

- Gayla Schwab

- Sandra Wegmann

- Mike and Lillian Bryant