Burr Ridge Developer Wants Fees Waived

BURR RIDGE, IL — A developer is again asking the Burr Ridge Village Board to waive impact fees for a planned subdivision in town. That's a request the board rejected in December, saying it was unfair to exempt the developer if virtually all others have been charged the same fees.

Lawyer Bob Minetz appeared at the village board meeting this week requesting it reconsider its decision. He represents Burr Ridge-based Jarper Properties, which is planning the eight-lot Cottages of Drew subdivision at the southwest corner of 79th Street and Drew Avenue. He asked for a hearing at a later meeting.

At issue are $118,000 in fees for such things as sidewalks and roads. Minetz said he sent a letter to the village Jan. 28 outlining the developer's case.

Village Administrator Doug Pollock said he received the letter, but had not had an opportunity to respond to it. "They presented a detailed explanation for the reasoning for their request," Pollock said.

Trustees said they would like to see the letter. The board made no decision about whether to reconsider its decision.

Burr Ridge Patch has filed a public records request for the letter.

At the December meeting, the company asked to waive the fees because concerns over wetlands would prevent the village from widening 79th and Drew and adding sidewalks on those streets. A representative of the developer said the waiver request was justified because the circumstances were unique.

At the time, board member Guy Franzese agreed the situation would be unique, but said that was the case with every development. He said all previous subdivisions, with the exception of one, have had to pay fees. The sidewalk and road fees, he said, could pay for projects elsewhere in town, which has been the case with other subdivisions.

"The sidewalk on the north side of 79th was built with funds from other developments in the village, far away from this subdivision," Franzese told the developer. "Your residents will benefit from fees collected by other developments."