✔ ADU Zoning Ordinance – West-Win (WW) followed this closely through the approval process in the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), the County Development Committee, and the County Board. Member’s responses to a WW survey indicated their strong opposition to the ordinance. While our goal was to have it rejected, the change was approved by the County Board, but WW did achieve a major win by modifying the original petition to change from a “by right permit” to a “conditional permit” and to require all ADUs rented to have minimum 6-month leases. Thank you to all members who attended the meetings with us, spoke their opinions, responded to our survey, and those that submitted comments for consideration by the County Board. WW is aware of, and will continue to monitor, a Winfield Road ADU petition not yet scheduled on an ZBA agenda.
✔ Forest Preserve Acquisition – As reported in the 8/6/24 Daily Herald, Forest Preserve (DCFPD) commissioners authorized district leaders to negotiate and enter into a contract to acquire the Gladstone Ridge horse boarding center, also known as Bolger Farm, along Leask Lane. The cost is anticipated to be $12 million.
✔ Blackwell Forest Preserve Fleet Maintenance Campus – The DCFPD plans to reconfigure current and construct new buildings at their existing facility on Mack Road. WW attendees at the 7/27/24 open house were told the District hopes to limit negative impact on adjoining residential properties and preserve visitors, to reduce noise, and to lower nighttime lighting. The cost is anticipated to be $35 to $40 million.
✔ Mack Road Bridge – West Branch DuPage River Bike Path – Replacement of the existing bridge is necessary and not an issue. New construction of a multi-use path on the north side of Mack Road will require easements and/or right-of-way (ROW) acquisition. Four resident’s properties will be significantly impacted. Those residents are fighting Warrenville’s hostile acquisition of their properties. An ongoing question is why the south side of Mack Road, already Forest Preserve property, is not being used for a project that benefits path users, Warrenville and the DCFPD, and which would NOT take land from north side residents. It seems that while this is still in the engineering stage it is the right time to make the correct decision for all entities and place the path on the south, Forest Preserve side, of Mack Road.
✔ DuPage County Forest Preserve Referendum – On the ballot this November is a referendum for the DCFPD to ncrease its tax levy rate by 0.0350% over the existing limiting rate. If the referendum passes your tax bill would increase approximately $11.67 per year for every $100,000 of your home’s value. Note that this increase is permanent.