Burr Ridge Joins Opponents To LTHS Plan: Official

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge is poised to join the opposition to Lyons Township High School's plan to sell its Willow Springs land to an industrial developer.

In an email to Patch this week, Burr Ridge Trustee Guy Franzese said the Village Board intends to adopt a resolution stating it opposes warehouses or distribution centers on the land. He said the board has no objection to using the land under current zoning.

Franzese said he asked for the issue to be put on the agenda for the Village Board's meeting Monday. It was at the same time as the meeting of the high school board, which heard opposition to its plan.

Burr Ridge's village limit is about a fifth of a mile to the west of the school's land, which is at 79th Street and Willow Springs Road.

At the village meeting, Franzese said he pointed out what he saw as the detrimental effects of warehouses or logistics centers on the land.

"Air pollution, noise pollution, light pollution, and truck traffic would all increase as a result," Franzese said in the email. "A warehouse/logistics center would negatively impact the school children at Pleasantdale Elementary."

Franzese said the Village Board reached a consensus on the planned resolution. He said the village supports Willow Springs' current zoning of single-family homes, light retail and senior housing.

He expects the board to vote on the resolution at its Feb. 13 meeting.

Willow Springs officials said they have no intention to allow industrial development on the land. Neighbors have also spoken out.

The 71-acre property is surrounded by homes, Pleasantdale Elementary, a park, a country club and a UPS facility.

On Monday, the school board rejected the two bids for the property, but the board president said the school would continue to negotiate.

Patch left a message for comment with the high school's spokesman Thursday morning.