Another Town Against LTHS Land Effort

INDIAN HEAD PARK, IL – Indian Head Park is now among the public bodies opposed to Lyons Township High School's effort to sell its Willow Springs land to an industrial developer.

This rejection hits close to home for school Board President Kari Dillon, who lives in Indian Head Park.

On Thursday, the Village Board voted 5-1 for a letter announcing its opposition. Trustee Chris Metz was the lone dissenter, saying he needed more information.

Part of Indian Head Park is in Pleasantdale School District 107. Its sole elementary school is next to the high school's 71 acres in Willow Springs.

The district has come out against industrial uses for the neighboring property. So have officials in Burr Ridge, Hodgkins and Pleasant Dale Park District. On Monday, Burr Ridge trustees unanimously adopted a resolution opposing the high school's effort.

"Municipalities need to support each other," Indian Head Park Village Administrator John DuRocher said in an interview Tuesday. "We play in the same sandbox with the village of Willow Springs."

Indian Head Park and the others disagree with the high school's decision to price the land for industrial development, even though Willow Springs' zoning rules bar such uses.

In its letter, Indian Head Park asks the Lyons Township school board to rebid the project for the current zoning, which is for single-family houses, senior living and small retailers.

It said the property should be appraised for such uses. Last year's appraisal specifically targeted industrial development.

Indian Head Park's letter also said local officials understand the desire of Lyons Township High School to improve its buildings with the money from the land.

"However, we also want to ensure that our community's health, well-being, quality of life and property values are not negatively impacted by the sale and subsequent development of the property," the letter said.

Patch left a message for comment with the high school's spokeswoman.

Last month, the school board rejected the two bids for the land. Bridge Industrial bid $55 million, the minimum price. The other bidder, Prologis, came in a $46.5 million.

The board pledged to continue negotiations.