60-unit building wrong for Hollywood
Brookfield has a developing problem. It is going to be a Riverside problem as well. A new five-story, 60-unit building is being proposed in the Hollywood section of Brookfield. This building will start on Brookfield Avenue and continue down McCormick, which is currently single family homes. Besides being wrong for the block, it is wrong for the community. This is another proposal that is too tall and does not provide for enough parking (sound familiar?).
It is several blocks away from my house, so why should I care? First, everyone who lives in School District 96 should be aware that there is no more room. Hollywood School is filled beyond capacity. Many children who live here have to go to school in Riverside. So all the people who move in will be going to school in Riverside.
The problem with this is that of the 45 classrooms available, 45 are currently being used. Some grades are filled to, or slightly above, capacity throughout the district, meaning the school district will have to increase class size beyond its own limit.
Some might point to the new tax dollars that this project will bring. The fact is that a new school or addition will have to be erected, new teachers hired, equipment purchased, and any new revenue from taxes pales in comparison to these costs.
I also believe that overly tall, high-density, multi-unit developments erode the sense of community. They ruin the feel of a neighborhood. One might argue they have a place in a commercial district, but I don’t see how that extends into and down a residential block.
The thought that some developer will come in here build a 60-foot brick monstrosity and make a million dollars and leave without ever facing the consequences of what he has wrought ticks me off. Am I fighting to keep others out and keep this great area to myself? Yes.
I worked hard and paid a price to live in this area. It is a great place to live, and it is worth fighting for to keep it great.
Mel Tracy
Brookfield
Letter writer uses scare tactics on development
Donald Spatny’s letter reproduced in the Sept. 20 issue (“Demand more from Riverside officials on development”) was full of inaccurate and inflammatory language which demeans the extensive process through which the trustees and management of the Village of Riverside have sought and are seeking input from its citizens regarding future development in the village.
There is no question that the citizens should let us know how they feel about these matters. However, it is unnecessary and counter-productive to attempt to “scare” the citizens into providing their views. We welcome their views and encourage active participation in village matters.
There was never any “kickback,” the village trustees never “rolled over to the developers of the Village Center project,” no “blanket variance” was ever granted, the village never “gave away the alley … for what amounted to almost nothing.” These are old issues which Mr. Spatny has sought to lump together and raise anew to criticize the village.
The village is confronted on a regular basis with the need to resolve issues that arise. In each instance Mr. Spatny referred to, the village has resolved the issues in the best interest of its citizens. When personnel or policies failed to meet the standards established by the community, changes have been made. The village has always received adequate compensation for its action in all these instances. For heavens sake, let’s put the past behind us and focus on what we can do now to make our village a better place for all of us.
The recent special meeting of the Board of Trustees to consider a standard “inducement” resolution was held pursuant to proper notice. The consequences of this ordinance is that if the village adopts a tax increment financing district (TIF), the village will “consider” reimbursing the developers of the Arcade property for certain infrastructure improvements- “water system enhancements” that the village wanted the developers to make in Quincy Street prior to the village rebuilding that road.
That work had to commence the day of the meeting to meet the village’s timetable. The village made no commitments other than to “consider” this issue. The village has not committed to adopting a tax increment district, but it is actively considering it. We urge our citizens to learn more about this process and to participate as the process unfolds.
Mr. Spatny implies that the village’s debt load is out of proportion to the village’s ability to pay its debts. That is not true. At least one bond rating agency has assigned the village an “A” bond rating for all village debt.
The village’s legal debt limit is $21,380,585, but its total general obligation debt is only $5,328,000, leaving a margin of $16,052,585. Debt for village projects has been carefully planned with dedicated revenues where possible so property taxes do not increase.
The village’s 2005 debt service payments were the lowest in the past 10 years and were only 5.15 percent of total village expenditures. Village debt is refinanced whenever possible to save tax dollars. More detailed information about this is in the village’s 2005 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report available on the village’s website at www.riverside.il.us. We will most likely consider additional debt proposals for appropriate capital projects in the future depending on input from the citizens.
Mr. Spatny concludes that our improvements are merely “cutesy.” This, of course, ignores the very successful renovation of the village’s water tower and its plans to improve Centennial Park.
While I totally disagree with Mr. Spatny’s approach, I thoroughly endorse the conclusion of his letter that the citizens of the village should tell the trustees and village management their concerns and take advantage of the opportunities to participate in the decision whether to establish a TIF. We welcome constructive dialogue and informed input regarding all these matters.
Thomas Shields
Riverside
Thomas Shields is a Riverside village trustee.
Take another look at Buresh townhomes
I recently read an article in the Chicago Tribune dated Sept. 21. The headline read “Developer to build temporary parking” and the story went on to say:
“As part of his punishment for deviating from approved plans for his Opera Club condominiums on Marion Street in Oak Park, developer John Schiess of Oak Park has agreed to build a temporary parking lot on South Boulevard that will be available to downtown shoppers during the holidays.”
It went on to say that “Schiess also was fined $150,000 for making several changes to the Opera Club building during construction that included using a different brick than was approved by the village and altering some window styles.”
This, in my opinion, is some real disturbing news about a person who has been the architect on two projects in the Village of Brookfield since 2001.
All this leads to my following concerns: John Schiess of Oak Park was the architect who built the homes and townhomes at the site of the old Buresh Lobster House. We all remember how concerned the residents in the surrounding area were about flooding and sewer back-ups if the new buildings were built and other safety issues.
John Schiess, the architect, assured the village board and the residents that there would probably be no flooding or sewer back-ups caused by the new construction and there were no safety issues he was aware of at that time.
Mr. Schiess told everyone that the plans included an underground storm retention system made up of several large underground storage tanks and pipes that would stop or alleviate any flooding or backups in the area. Now that the buildings are built, I think the village officials should take a second look at these buildings.
Based on what is now coming to light in Oak Park with Mr. John Schiess and how he altered the plans approved by the village according to the Chicago Tribune, I feel that the Village of Brookfield should re-inspect the Lobster House site where the new buildings are now standing and make sure that the storm water retention system was really installed underground.
Also inspect the buildings and make sure everything was done according to the plans he presented and the Village of Brookfield approved. Also make sure no short cuts were taken to jeopardize any ones health and welfare. It is better to be safe than sorry when safety is an issue. Another problem according to a few people is the way these monstrosities look, not as quaint and beautiful as Mr. Schiess originally presented in his plans.
Bill Russ
Brookfield
Bill Russ was Brookfield village president from 2001-05.
Brookfield’s Madison Park in a sorry state
I am writing concerning the state of Madison Park. It has been neglected for several years by this administration. We have called for wood chips several times this year as none were placed last year or this. My husband offered to spread the chips if they were delivered. This never happened.
The weeds have not been dealt with, and the last straw was the removal and destruction of the swings, slide and climbing hexagon. A sign has been placed on the fence saying that there would be new equipment in the spring. I learned there is no plan for this in the budget.
I voted for this administration, but understand there is ill feelings as this park was fixed by the last administration and is now being trashed by this administration. Why?
Who suffers? The children of the neighborhood, my grandchildren and others. This administration has left this park an eyesore.
Sandra Morris
Brookfield
Get the facts on the Riverside TIF
There is an important adage in the real estate business called “location, location, location.” There is an equally important adage if you wish to learn more about what is going on in Riverside. It’s called “facts, facts, facts.”
There have been some inaccurate rumors circulated about the effect of a tax increment financing (TIF) district, which the village is considering. One of the inaccuracies is that the village is going to seize the Riverside Swim Club for development purposes. That is not true! Another story being passed around is that the village intends to permit development in Swan Pond. Again, not true!
How do you tell the difference between fact and false rumors? Many choices exist. Attending meetings of the village board or village commissions is an obvious alternative. You may be pleasantly surprised to learn that 75 residents participate in the village government by serving on village boards and commissions. Additionally, you could register with the village office (447-2700) to receive all of the TIF information as it becomes available.
Also, rely on the village Web site www.riverside.il.us. Use the Search function and enter “TIF FAQ.” This will bring up a section of the Web site that answers many of the residents’ questions about a TIF. While on the village Web site you can also sign up for Riverside E-Flash, a new electronic service that provides you with the latest village news and important alerts. Or contact the village manager, president or trustees for a personal answer to your questions or concerns.
Invest a little of your time to learn about the TIF and get the facts, facts, facts. Then you will be in a position to have an informed opinion about the TIF.
Bill Scanlon
Riverside
Bill Scanlon is a Riverside village trustee.
Canceled meeting won’t stop condo protest
I find it very peculiar that the public hearing to be held in front of the Planning Commission of the Village of Brookfield, in regards to the 60-unit condo development on Brookfield Avenue, was abruptly canceled hours before it was to scheduled to take place. I was told it was a clerical error, despite the public notice published in the Landmark on Sept. 13. Apparently the notice was not posted 48 hours ahead of time at the village hall, ergo the clerical error.
Perhaps, whoever the powers may be got wind of the fact that their is a neighborhood rallying against this development and we all put this time aside to vocalize our thoughts. Perhaps, inadvertently making a clerical error 48 hours prior to this meeting would avert a public outcry against this development. Or, perhaps I am just cynical and it was merely an oversight to post a piece of paper on some bulletin board somewhere in the village hall in regards to this meeting.
I know one thing. I know this has just made me more eager to show up at the meeting which is now scheduled for Oct. 26 at 7 p.m.
This is by far the most ludicrous agenda the master plan is sponsoring. All the variances this development needs are outrageous. Has anyone even addressed the non-variance issues such as the sewer system, traffic pattern and school systems which cannot handle this population influx?
These issues are not variances in any law we have. These issues are just common sense. Hollywood School is already making exceptions to their rules on class sizes due to an influx of children. Can Hauser handle this increased enrollment?
Aren’t we still catching up with our sewers, and find it difficult to find the finances to update necessary sewage issues. Heck, we can’t even pave our gravel alleys. And, now we’re expected to cough up more money for our sewers, roads, traffic lights, schools and other unforeseeable expenses so that the Stronghill Group can dump 60 condos on us and make their money and run?
Come on Brookfield, let’s rally against these greedy contractors and say no to the development. Riverside residents who have children attending Hauser should also address this development as it will affect their children.
Rescheduling this meeting is not going to deter us. No clerical error can do that. See you Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at the village hall.
Mary McKevett
Brookfield
Thanks for great library, jazz events
I would like to thank everyone who participated in the Sept. 16 “Taste of Brookfield @ Your Library.” I want to especially recognize all the local restaurant and business owners who donated the great food and silent action items that made the evening such a success.
I also want to thank “31st Street,” a jazz group made up of local musicians who gave their time to play for us. Library Director Kim Litland and members of the Friends of Brookfield Public Library gave so much of their time and energy to make this all come together.
The Sept. 17th Brookfield “Jazz In The Park” also deserves special recognition as a wonderful new addition to community events. Ian Tiele and the Brookfield Jazz Society, along with the Brookfield Special Events Commission, put on an outstanding day-long concert that I hope continues and grows year after year.
Jonathan Platt
Brookfield
Jonathan Platt is a Brookfield Public
Library trustee.
