Will village hear project complaints?

The Schaumburg Village Board of Trustees is set to vote on Aug. 27 on a controversial plan that would dramatically change the character of neighboring Rolling Meadows. Residents are questioning whether the trustees will ignore the Schaumburg Plan Commission’s strong rejection and withering criticism of the proposal.

Protests, concerns and complaints from the community have grown stronger and continue to intensify since the Schaumburg Plan Commission resoundingly rejected the proposal by a vote of 6-2. Addressing resident fears of increased flooding, a Ph.D. engineer expert testified to the Plan Commission that flawed and incomplete data renders the developer’s hydraulics flood plan useless. SD 15 Superintendent Dr. Laurie Heinz expressed her concern about the density of this project and said she did not know where children from this project would go, as nearby schools are already full.

Amid growing debates on the need for affordable housing, this project is unlikely to lessen the burden with proposed rents ranging from “the low 2,000s” for the smallest unit to “about $5,500” for townhouses, according to the developer.

Adding to resident outrage is the planned destruction of 322 mature trees, many of which are over 100 years old and 80 feet tall and help reduce the flooding that regularly occurs on the property.

Rolling Meadows Alderman Karen McHale reiterated that the village’s Comprehensive Plan adopted in 2018 clearly states the “Loeber property is best suited for single-family residential development,” and that in 2016 village officials rejected a 98-unit SFH plan due to small lot sizes.

Hundreds of residents from Rolling Meadows will attend the Schaumburg Board of Trustee hearing on Aug. 27 to voice their opposition to the proposal. Will Schaumburg listen?

Mike Bryskier

Rolling Meadows