Group 'Impartial' On Selling White Pines Golf Club

ELMHURST, IL – A residents' group says it has taken no position on the possible sale of White Pines Golf Club, which is in Bensenville, just north of Elmhurst.

At the same time, the White Pines Community Alliance said it would present facts about the issue. In its newsletter last week, most of its information about the potential sale seemed aimed at tamping down fears.

The Bensenville Park District is considering selling nearly half of the 260-acre club for another use, possibly light industrial. Some nearby residents are opposed, saying the change would worsen traffic, noise and flooding.

In its newsletter, the alliance, which represents unincorporated residents north of Elmhurst, said some have asked the group to protest the sale. Others want the alliance to rally for it.

"While those in our group might have personal opinions about a possible sale, we all agree to remain impartial and to just share the facts and nothing more," the newsletter said.

The alliance noted the park district's argument that the money from a sale could help with a backlog of repairs and upgrades for other parks, including the pool.

The group also said the district would like to build new facilities to accommodate a growing town, without a tax hike.

"A simple way to do that is to sell a portion of the underutilized golf course, which loses hundreds of thousands of dollars per year," the alliance said.

The newsletter sought to dispel what it called rumors about the plans for the golf course. As for traffic, it said village laws bar large commercial trucks on key streets near residents.

The alliance maintained that studies would ensure that any potential development addresses flooding. And it said county and village laws address noise issues.

The newsletter labeled as "ridiculous" a rumor that the sale could make way for low-income housing.

"No plans for low-income units were ever considered," the alliance said. "If the people that start these rumors would only do a little bit of research, they would know what is true and what isn’t."

A Change.org petition against the golf club sale has collected more than 350 signatures.

Ordinarily, a park district could not sell a big chunk of land. But at the park district's urging, the state Legislature last year voted to allow the park board to approve the sale of up to 125 acres of the golf club.

The park board is planning two public hearings on the issue in May. A decision could happen in June.