This letter to the editor is from Elmhurst resident Therese Altergott, who lives on Elmhurst's Rex Boulevard (It is a message to local lawmakers, Rep. Diane Blair-Sherlock, Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton and Rep. Marti Deuter):
On Monday night, Elmhurst passed a preliminary planned unit development application for a 139,000 square foot warehouse distribution center, despite hundreds of residents speaking out against it. Close to 350 residents signed a petition saying they oppose the warehouse, which will be fewer than 700 feet from a primary school and residential areas. The main concerns are unhealthy levels of diesel exhaust emissions, constant noise, even possibly at night, harm to the adjacent forest preserve and Salt Creek flora and fauna due to soil contaminated with heavy metals and petroleum, and the worsening of traffic congestion in an area known by locals as "the bulb." The dreadful traffic situation near the stop light at Route 83 and Monroe has earned the grade of F by state transportation officials. The impact all of this will have on property values is also very much on the minds of the people living in the area. And this developer has already built and sold two almost identical warehouses in Georgia to ICE.
To make matters worse, after 6 1/2 years of debate, Elmhurst also adopted its Zoning Rewrite document on Monday night that contains several concerning changes on the environment. The most egregious is their exempting of motor vehicles from local noise regulations. In my opinion, this green lighted the warehouse project, without which it would not be able to operate at night certainly, and even possibly during the day. During the hearings, the developer quoted noise levels from just one truck, despite the likelihood of this building housing three to four separate businesses and having 14 active loading docks initially, with a total of 28 planned. The request by residents to be provided with a sound study was denied by the applicant and local officials. I have spoken out against this zoning noise regulation change and have written multiple letters to our City Council members expressing my strong disapproval of this decision, all to no avail.
Dozens of people spoke out against this warehouse during the Zoning Commission hearings, but their passionate pleas fell upon deaf ears throughout this whole process. I am writing to you today because I have recently read about Senate Bill 3732 and am encouraged to see that the state may soon take serious action on this issue. First, where do you stand on this subject? Second, what is the current status of SB3732? Third, is there similar legislation in the House? Fourth, what can you do to help us? Fifth, what can the residents of Elmhurst do to help this legislation succeed? We think it makes sense to require a sound study for all such projects, and that all warehouses, data centers, and truck stops be located at least 1,000 feet away from all sensitive areas, such as residences, schools, parks, hospitals, day care centers, and nursing homes. Your attention to this matter would be very much appreciated!
I hope you hear from you soon!
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