Zoning board ruling on COD was wise
On May 10, 260 unhappy homeowners/taxpayers stated their opposition to College of DuPage’s expansion plans. Too many large (3 stories high) structures that are within 100 feet of our property lines at Manor Homes. Couple that with a water tower and treatment plant 45 feet from property lines along with a great fear of property value loss for those who are on a fixed income. Five to six homeowner associations spoke in full opposition to the expansion plans.
The next county zoning board hearing was May 21, attended by 160 people. Many were still opposed to even the revised plans.
The final meeting of the zoning board was held on June 7. That night the board rejected COD’s plans to build new buildings on their 273 acre campus. The vote was 7-0 in favor of rebuffing COD’s plans. They so stated that in the future each new building will be considered separately and will have to go through an approval process for each building and must comply with all codes to build. In order words, no more “carte blanche“ — each plan will be a separate issue to be considered one at a time. My feeling and the feeling of my fellow homeowners is that this was a wise move on the part of the zoning board.
Hopefully the county board will then tell COD that it is high time that COD fly right and be better stewards to the taxpayers/homeowners of DuPage County. I have lived in both Glen Ellyn and Wheaton for 53 years. These past four years have been a disaster.
Chuck Clark
Wheaton