Opposition To Darien Duplex Plan Remains

DARIEN, IL – The Darien City Council on Monday plans to consider the final plan for 17 duplexes that neighbors oppose.

The city's attorney advised aldermen that they have little flexibility in their decision. But a lawyer for a neighboring household said concerns remain.

In November, a 4-3 council majority approved the preliminary plan for the Woodland Glen development in the 2900 block of 87th Street.

The developer plans to market the duplexes for those 55 or older. Prices for the homes would start in the upper $500,000 range, the developer said. It would require the demolition of at least a couple of older houses

During the November meeting, the council heard opposition from neighbors concerned about traffic and flooding as a result of the duplexes.

In a memo Sunday, the city's attorney, John Murphey, told officials that the vote is on whether the final plan "conforms substantially" to the preliminary one.

"At this point, the owner's land use rights have vested and the Council's discretion is sharply limited," Murphey said. "The Council does not have the legal right to disapprove the final plan for any reason other than failure to conform with the approved preliminary plan."

In a letter to city officials Thursday, attorney Elizabeth Uribe said she represents Jeanine and Tony Antiporek, who live just east of the property in question.

She said the 17 duplexes would have a "profound impact" on the couple's mental health and peaceful enjoyment of their property, where they have lived for nearly three decades.

The Antiporeks oppose the density and number of exceptions to the local code that the project requires, the "extreme nature" of the requested exceptions, the disruption to the neighborhood, the destruction of flora and fauna, the increased traffic and the effects on flooding, she said.

Uribe said the development appears headed for approval. But she said her clients have many questions about it because the developer's plan doesn't address some issues.

For instance, she said they wanted to know who is financially responsible if the water issues become worse rather than better. And she said they inquired whether the development's proposed sanitary lift station has a backup generator if the power goes out.

Nonetheless, Uribe said the Antiporeks want to be good neighbors and build a good relationship with the developer and their eventual neighbors.

"While my clients will grieve the loss of their home as they have known it, and without waiving their objections to the Woodland Glen subdivision, they look forward to the developer and the City keeping their promises to residents and neighbors to create a safe and welcoming subdivision that is, indeed, a nice place to live," Uribe said.

Uribe, who lives in an unincorporated neighborhood near Darien, is an increasingly familiar name in town.

A couple of years ago, Uribe led the successful effort for a property tax increase in Center Cass School District 66. She and her allies locked horns with Darien Alderman Eric Gustafson, who opposed the measure.

Earlier this year, Uribe prevailed with a lawsuit that she filed on behalf of residents near a proposed chain auto body shop in their neighborhood. After the lawsuit, the company, Gerber Collision & Glass, withdrew its plan.

The City Council meets at 7:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 1710 Plainfield Road.