The Controversy - Gallagher & Henry has proposed to build 192 condominium units in twelve five-story buildings on the parcel of land located at the northeast corner of Boughton and Woodward. The area was originally zoned R-3 for 47 single-family homes in the original annexation agreement between Woodridge and Darien.
Approval of this plan to re-zone the area to Office, Research, or Industrial (ORI) will have a direct impact on the quality of life of the residents in surrounding subdivisions both in Woodridge and Darien. It will potentially bring many other problems including increased population density, noise, air pollution, traffic, public sanitation, flooding problems and overcrowed libraries, parks and schools (District 66).
09-22-01 - I sent a letter to Woodridge Mayor Murphy, Trustee Szerlag, Trustee Cunningham, Trustee Frank, Trustee Hundman, Trustee Murphy and Trustee Byrne to urge them to follow the Plan Commission's rejection of the plan. Click here to see a copy of my letter.
09-17-01 - The Plan Commission unanimously recommended that the Woodridge Village Board reject Gallagher & Henry's proposal. The Village Board has the final say at their meeting on September 27, 2001. Here is my quote: "I was pleased that the Woodridge Plan Commission rejected Gallagher & Henry's proposal for rezoning and development of the northeast corner of Boughton Rd. & Woodward Ave. The unanimous decision sends a powerful message to developers that the Woodridge Plan Commission will not hesitate to reject development that adversely affects residents. I hope the Woodridge Village Board will follow the Plan Commission's recommendation and send Gallagher & Henry back to the drawing board."
09-14-01 - I sent a letter to the members of the Plan Commission with a compromise which we will leave all parties a little disappointed, which is a the sign of a good compromise: reduce the size of the commercial property, allow Gallagher & Henry to build multi-family condos but spread them out on a larger parcel of land, put shorter buildings with larger setbacks near existing residences, close Drover Ln. Click here to see a copy of my letter.
09-12-01 - Several hundred Darien and Woodridge residents attended the public hearing at Downers Grove High School. Residents asked questions and made statements until well after midnight. he public hearing was then closed and the Plan Commission will deliberate and make their decision at their regular meeting on September 17, 2001.
08-27-01 - There were over 300 residents, both Darien and woodridge, in attendance at the public hearing. Gallagher & Henry spent 2.5 hours going over their proposals. Then the Woodridge Plan Department presented their support for the plan and recommended it to the Plan Commission. The meeting was then continued to September 12, 2001 when the opponents to the proposal will be given the chance to speak..
08-18-01 - I sent a letter to State Representative Jim Meyer and State Senator Kirk Dillard to express my opposition to the proposed plan and ask for their help. Click here to see a copy of my letter.
08-12-01 - I sent a letter to Woodridge Mayor Murphy, Trustee Szerlag, Trustee Cunningham, Trustee Frank, Trustee Hundman, Trustee Murphy and Trustee Byrne to express my opposition to the proposed plan. Click here to see a copy of my letter.
08-12-01 - I sent a letter to Plan Commissioner Zawacki, Commissioner Fu, Commissioner Meiners, Commissioner, Krywaruczenko, Commissioner Degnan, Commissioner Sydelko, and Commissioner Stukas to express my opposition to the proposed plan. Click here to see a copy of my letter.
08-12-01 - I sent a letter to Morgan Cotton, Village of Darien Alderman - Ward 5, to express my opposition to the proposed plan. Click here to see a copy of my letter.
08-12-01 - I sent a letter to Robert Heap, DuPage County Board Member - District 5, to express my opposition to the proposed plan. Click here to see a copy of my letter.
08-12-01 - I sent an e-mail to Woodridge Park District Director Keith Frankland inquiring into the lack of park land or open space in the proposal. Click here to see a copy of my e-mail.
UPDATE: No park space is included in the plan.
08-10-01 - I sent a Freedom of Information Request to the Woodridge Village Clerk requesting a copy of the annexation agreement between Woodridge / Darien / Gallagher & Henry wherein a lower density plan was agreed upon.
08-06-01 - The public hearing on rezoning was postponed due to a large turnout of concerned citizens from Darien and Woodridge who were opposed to the rezoning.
The Controversy - Gallagher & Henry has proposed to build 192 condominium units in twelve five-story buildings on the parcel of land located at the northeast corner of Boughton and Woodward. The area was originally zoned R-3 for 47 single-family homes in the original annexation agreement between Woodridge and Darien.
Approval of this plan to re-zone the area to Office, Research, or Industrial (ORI) will have a direct impact on the quality of life of the residents in surrounding subdivisions both in Woodridge and Darien. It will potentially bring many other problems including increased population density, noise, air pollution, traffic, public sanitation, flooding problems and overcrowed libraries, parks and schools (District 66).
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