Don’t pave meadow on Village Drive

For now the dust seems to have settled in Luther Village. If Lutheran Life Communities bulldozes its way against the Plan Commission of Arlington Heights and the local neighbors, however, the peaceful vistas of residents of Luther Village, the Lutheran Home and the neighbors on Ridge Avenue will be forever destroyed. Heavy equipment is intrusive and landscape changing. Forever.

As a business person, I am not unsympathetic to the need of Lutheran Home to stay current in a competitive field. The architect revealed the total cost of approximately $50,000, therefore underground parking beneath the proposed addition is cost prohibitive. Paving the meadow along Village Drive is not the only option.  

Lutheran Life Communities has an impressive headquarters on Salt Creek Drive. A leisurely drive through the parking lot on March 8 at two different times of day revealed nearly 100 unused parking spaces. Since Lutheran Home has at least two buses, why not shuttle employees from this space to the door of the home?

This would reduce the cost of the overall project, congestion and air pollution in the area, and shorten the anticipated disruption on the campus.

The meadow would remain for the enjoyment of residents, guests and neighbors.

Audrey Beauvais

Arlington Heights