Darien Duplexes Clear Hurdle Amid Neighbor Protests

DARIEN, IL – A Darien City Council committee on Wednesday recommended approval of a subdivision of duplexes that some neighbors oppose.

All three Municipal Services Committee members, aldermen Thomas Belczak, Ted Schauer and Ralph Stompanato, voted for the development in the 2900 block of 87th Street. Woodridge is to the west.

"I think it's good for Darien as a whole," Belczak said.

Neighbors expressed concern over flooding from the subdivision, although the developer, Woodland Glen Development, said drainage would improve.

With its recommendation, the committee approved the proposal to switch the zoning to multifamily, from single-family. It would mean tearing down two older houses.

Several in the audience of about 20 had signs reading "No R-3," referring to the multifamily zoning designation. More than 50 neighbors signed a petition against the proposal.

Last month, the Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved it.

In a presentation Monday, the developer's lawyer, Jim Healy, said the subdivision of 17 duplexes would have a "negligible impact" on neighbors.

He said the trend on 87th Street is commercial development, pointing to Woodridge. In recent city meetings, though, Darien residents have expressed unhappiness with how Woodridge is handling zoning matters in that area.

Healy said the developer would market the subdivision for those 55 or older. Prices for the homes would start in the upper $500,000 range, he said.

"Woodland Glen would be a positive addition to the city that many 55-plus residents in this community are looking for," Healy said. "They want something with no maintenance, which is something the (homeowners association) will offer."

The developer promised to build a retention pond to collect water headed down a slope toward houses on Woodcrest Drive. Now, the water just quickly drains toward the homes, but with the pond, the release of water would take place over the course of three or four days, according to the proposal.

A number of neighbors were unconvinced.

One of them was Woodcrest Drive resident Karla Twombly, who called the waterlogged area between 87th and Woodcrest a "swamp."

With more buildings and pavement, flooding would worsen, she said.

"You're going to add more water in the retention pond. There is no way that Woodcrest will be able to handle that," Twombly said. "Our concerns are about flooding and losing all the rest of our land and our house."

After the vote, one man yelled, "It's all about the money!"

The City Council is expected to consider the proposal at its Nov. 20 meeting.