Darien's 'Political Triangle': A Possible Solution

DARIEN, IL – A Darien official may have a solution for the property that an alderman calls the "political triangle."

During election season, the northeast corner of Plainfield and Clarendon Hills roads is dotted with campaign signs.

In an interview, City Administrator Bryon Vana said he doubted whether people ask the property owner whether they can post signs. The signs are for candidates from both major political parties.

"I'm sure no one has permission," he said. "When the election is done, all the signs are removed. It's short-term unsightliness."

He said the solution could be to get the owner's permission for city employees to remove signs from the property. The city, he said, has been trying to contact the owner.

For at least eight years, Vana said, the city has been cutting the grass on the land.

"We sent the owner a tall grass notice violation," Vana said. "Because he was out of state, that grass was not going to be cut. If the owner doesn't pay us, we (place a) lien on the property. If it wasn't for us, that grass wouldn't be cut."

At this week's City Council meeting, Mayor Joseph Marchese called the property an "undevelopable corner" because it is a floodplain.

He said he would like the owner to donate the land to Darien. The city would then make it look nicer, he said.