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Lombard opposes rezoning for Ken-Loch golf course

Rezoning a golf course site near Lombard to allow multifamily residential development would contradict decades of land-use planning, village officials say.

Lombard village and park district officials are joining neighbors in opposing a proposal to rezone the Ken-Loch Golf Links property along Finley Road, north of 22nd Street.

Currently, DuPage County has the 31-acre site zoned for single-family houses. But if county officials approve a request from the golf course's owners, new zoning would allow apartments, townhouses or condominiums on the property.

The county's zoning board of appeals in October is expected to recommend whether the DuPage County Board should approve the zoning change.

During a Thursday night public hearing, Lombard Community Development Director Bill Heniff said rezoning the property would be “inconsistent” with the county's comprehensive plan, which dates back to 1990.

“DuPage County has identified it for open space or single-family residential,” Heniff said. “The village of Lombard has done the same thing. At no point in the past has either the village of Lombard or DuPage County said that high density residential should be the plan.”

The brother and sister who own the golf course, Rich and Linda Kensinger, have been looking for five years to sell it.

While the golf course has been in operation for about 50 years, the owners said, it's in jeopardy of closing because of declining numbers of rounds played.

Officials with Donven Homes say the company would purchase the property if the zoning change is approved.

While no site plans have been submitted to the county, Don Stevens, Donven Homes president, this week said the company's tentative proposal is to construct four luxury apartment buildings and about 19 upscale townhouses.

Stevens says it would be “the highest and best use” of the property. At Thursday's hearing, he said the site is “not suitable” for single-family houses.

“That (rezoning) would allow us to develop it in a number of ways,” he said.

Lombard officials estimate the proposed development would occupy between two-thirds and three-fourths of the site. The village would like to see 75 percent of the land remain open space.

About 50 neighbors attended the public hearing. All the ones who spoke agreed with Lombard's position that the zoning shouldn't be changed. They said having apartments and townhouses on the site would increase traffic congestion, cause flooding and put a strain on schools and other local government services.

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