Burr Ridge To Make Opposition Official To LTHS Plan

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge trustees plan to vote Monday on a resolution opposing any attempt to convert Lyons Township High School's Willow Springs property into an industrial zone.

The school has geared its effort to sell the 71-acre property to industrial developers. That's in spite of the zoning, which bars industrial uses.

At a meeting last month, Burr Ridge trustees indicated they were against such uses on the property.

According to the proposed resolution, the village acknowledged the high school's right to sell the land.

The property is southwest of 79th Street and Willow Springs Road. The Edgewood Valley Country Club, which Burr Ridge annexed last year, abuts the school's land. And a Burr Ridge neighborhood is close by.

"(D)evelopment of the land in the form of industrial uses are objectionable to Burr Ridge, as such development would have a deleterious effect on Edgewood Valley Country Club's use and enjoyment of the property, as well as the existing public and private uses adjacent to the land," the resolution said.

Burr Ridge said it would also oppose any effort by the high school to de-annex the land from Willow Springs and annex it to another town.

Residents have mentioned the possibility of de-annexation, though the high school has not, at least publicly. The school's lawyer, though, told the school board last month that members had other remedies if Willow Springs officials kept their promise and rejected industrial zoning.

The other towns that abut the land in question are Burr Ridge and Hodgkins. Both have indicated they opposed annexation.

On Thursday, Patch asked Burr Ridge Trustee Guy Franzese about annexation possibilities. He is the village's point person on the Willow Springs land.

Franzese said he knew of no other annexation possibilities, given that Burr Ridge and Hodgkins are the only towns that border the high school's land.

The resolution urged the high school to create a mutually supported development plan for the land that would benefit the community.

Last month, two industrial developers bid on the land. Bridge Industrial was the top bidder at $55 million, the minimum price.

The board rejected the bids, saying it would continue negotiations.

The school said it would use the proceeds from the land sale for building projects.