Big Crowd Expected At Clarendon Hills Meeting On Downtown

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – Clarendon Hills is moving its meeting on the village's proposed downtown plan to a larger venue.

Officials expect a bigger crowd than usual to attend the Village Board meeting.

The session is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday at Christ Lutheran Church, 60 55th St. Because of the location change, no livestreaming will be available, the village said.

At the meeting, the village's consultant, the Houseal Lavigne firm, is expected to present possibilities for a downtown improvement plan.

For the last couple of years, Village President Eric Tech has pushed to replace a downtown triangle with a plaza.

That proposal has generated controversy, with many residents and the local historical society coming out against the idea. They contend the change would reduce safety and cause traffic congestion.

However, officials say the plaza would make the area more inviting.

The consultant surveyed residents about downtown improvements. Two weeks ago, though, the village denied Patch's public records request for the results.

Village Manager Paul Dalen later told Patch that the village would release the information with redactions.

But as of Thursday, Clarendon Hills was still keeping the data under wraps. It denied a request from resident Angela Sartori, a high-profile plaza opponent.

In its response, the village said it did not currently have the information.

Clarendon Hills also cited an attorney general's opinion in response to watchdog Edgar Pal, who complained that Hinsdale last year failed to release survey data about downtown traffic.

The opinion said the Hinsdale could withhold survey information. That's because the answers would "necessarily reveal individuals' opinions rather than facts" and disclosure would intrude on the Village Board's deliberative process, the attorney general said.

The attorney general also said disclosure could discourage future participation in seeking residents' opinions.

As such, the village cited the exception under the open records law for preliminary drafts and notes.

Patch left an emailed message for comment with President Tech on Thursday.

In Hinsdale, watchdog Pal sued the village to obtain its survey results. Hinsdale released all the data and survey comments without redactions.

In December, the Elmhurst Park District released without redactions all survey data and comments about a controversial proposed bandshell next to an iconic mansion. About 70 percent of respondents disagreed with what the park board majority wanted.