advertisement

Algonquin compromises with residents to save trees

After taking into consideration residents’ wishes, village officials in Algonquin agreed to modify a proposed road reconstruction plan for the Indian Grove subdivision so that fewer trees will have to be cut down for the project.

The nearly $2.5 million project includes the reconstruction and widening of the roads, plus the replacement of a faulty water main and the addition of storm sewers to comply with upcoming EPA regulations for drainage into the Fox River. The neighborhood sits just east of the Fox River, south of Algonquin Road.

Two weeks ago, residents protested the original plan, which would have resulted in loss of 70 trees. The village would have replanted all of them and more, but they would haven’t been trees of the same caliber. Village officials then agreed to give residents two weeks to consult among themselves and come up with alternate suggestions.

Last week, residents submitted their proposal to the village, which included not building sidewalks and making some variations to the water main installation. At a committee of the whole Tuesday night, Village Manager Bill Ganek told board members that village staff members were OK with those two items, which reduced the number of lost trees from 70 to 40. “Staff worked very hard to find a workable plan,” Ganek said.

Board members approved the amended plan, which will be formally voted on at next Tuesday’s meeting. The amended plan also features 27-foot-wide roads, including an 18-inch curb and a 2-foot safety shelf on both sides. That was, too, a compromise, because the village standard is 31-foot-wide roads, Public Works Director Bob Mitchard said. “I am satisfied that we will have a quality project,” he said.

Mike Amster, president of the Indian Grove homeowners association, said he was pleased by the compromise. “It is much better than the original plan, we were able to save more trees,” he said.

This was an unusual show of cooperation between residents and village officials for a road construction plan, Trustee Brian Dianis said. “I don’t recall anything to this degree (in the past). It was a neighborhood coming together,” he said.

Resident William J. Brodrick said he was glad the board was able to listen to and compromise with residents. “When people get together and work together, you see results,” he said.

Algonquin subdivision fighting village’s roadwork plans

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.