Timothy Christian Project Draws Opposition In Elmhurst

ELMHURST, IL — Timothy Christian Schools, which is in southwest Elmhurst, is seeking the city's approval for an expansion.

But 90 residents in the nearby Park Place retirement community signed a petition urging the city to reject the request. They want one aspect of the project changed.

The school campus is southeast of Butterfield Road and Prospect Avenue.

Under its plan, the school wants to enlarge the southeast corner of its middle school building for a concession area, expand the track and soccer field, build a new grandstand and rebuild the tennis courts.

The most controversial part of the plan is construction of a one-lane street, called Trojan Lane. It would go from the southeastern end of the high school parking lot to Euclid Avenue.

Park Place is on Euclid, south of the school.

On Monday, the City Council's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee heard Timothy Christian's proposal. The Park Place petition calls for the school to remove Trojan Lane from the project or move it away from its south property line.

Park Place resident Thomas Shields said his fellow residents backed the project, except Trojan Lane.

Tom Shields, a resident in the Park Place retirement community in Elmhurst, explains why he and his neighbors are opposed to the addition of Trojan Lane to the Timothy Christian Schools campus. (David Giuliani/Patch)

He said the backing up of cars during dropoff and pickup times would result in traffic congestion on Euclid and Harvard Street. That could impact access to Elmhurst Hospital, which is to the east, he said.

Shields also said he feared the increased traffic could make a nearby walking path more dangerous.

In a later response, Matt Davidson, superintendent of Timothy Christian, said he had "great respect" for Park Place and Shields.

He said the school would manage traffic. And he said families don't arrive all at one time.

"I don't think anyone from Park Place can speak on behalf of Elmhurst Hospital," Davidson said. "We have had multiple meetings with the hospital. They're more than capable of speaking for themselves."

As for walking paths, he said the best months for using it are during the summer, when the school is out of session.

"We want to be cooperative with our neighbors, including those on Prospect, who are thrilled about this," Davidson said.

Alderman Mark Mulliner, who represents the neighborhood in question, said he did not expect backups of cars to extend all the way down Euclid.

"I know you do a good job working with the neighbors," he said.

All three members of the council's Development, Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval of a permit for the project.

The City Council is expected to take up the issue at its meeting Monday.