Seven Step Down from Tinley Park Planning Commission

Seven of the Tinley Park Plan Commission's nine members have resigned since Feb. 4, citing "a variety of reasons -—personal, health among a few," said Mayor Dave Seaman.

Among those to leave are commission Chairwoman Rita Walker along with Commissioners Jeff Ficaro, Tom Mahoney, Robert McClellan, Gina Miller, Arthur Pierce and William Reidy. Ficaro's letter was dated Feb. 4; Mahoney's was submitted the next day. Reidy's on Feb. 10, McClellan's on Feb. 15, Miller's on Feb. 16, Pierce's on Feb. 18 and Walker's on Feb. 19.

None specifically note controversial housing development The Reserve as their reason, though the approval process for the 47-unit project on northeast corner of 183rd Street and Oak Park Avenue, has drawn heavy criticism from residents. The project had been granted preliminary approval in January and was up for another vote Feb. 4, but was tabled for the purpose of a closer look by the planning department.

Since then, Planning Director Amy Connolly has been put on paid leave, and the Village, which previously said it had no say in evaluating the project, as it complied with all development and zoning codes for the area. Residents flooded village meetings, calling for a closer look at the project and more transparency throughout the process. The size of the crowds dictated the Village Board relocate its March 1 meeting to the Tinley Park Convention Center.

"These are volunteers—they receive no compensation and have served the Village well—some for over 30 years," Seaman told Patch. "I have to respect their request and we move on. Fortunately, we are a community of volunteers and many others have stood up and are ready to assume the challenges that lie ahead."