Quorum lacking for vote on Naperville land

Too few park commissioners showed up to Wednesday night's special board meeting to be able to vote on purchasing the land between the ponds of Hobson West.

But the issue lives on as developer Crestview Builders announced it is willing to continue negotiating with the park district despite their deadline having passed.

Commissioners Andrew Schaffner, Suzanne Hart and Ron Ory gathered at the park district office along with about two dozen residents Wednesday, but a fourth commissioner was needed to be able to legally hold a meeting, so the group disbanded. President Kristen Jungles and commissioners Charlie Brown, Marie Todd and Mary Wright were not there.

"It's unfortunate that we do not have a quorum tonight that would allow the park board to hold itself accountable to the residents regarding the possible purchase of Hobson ponds," Commissioner Andrew Schaffner said.

The only item on Wednesday night's agenda was the issue of whether to purchase six acres of land between two ponds that the park district already owns in the Hobson West neighborhood. The site is between Plainfield-Naperville Road and West Street.

For several years, residents in that area have been pushing the park district to buy the additional land from Crestview Builders to create a 15-acre park.

The park district has offered the developer $2.5 million for the property, but Crestview is asking for $4.1 million.

Hart, Ory and Schaffner all say there is a shortage of open space in Naperville, and they support purchasing the land if they can reach a compromise on the price with Crestview. But some commissioners have said there are more pressing needs.

The two sides had agreed to a Jan. 30 deadline for reaching a deal. But Wednesday afternoon, Kathy West, attorney for Crestview, sent a letter to the park board saying the developer had long believed the best use of the property would be keeping it as open space and that it is willing to continue negotiating.

"Crestview wants to assure the park district as well as the public that Crestview will continue to work with the park district in the same spirit of cooperation and good faith," West wrote.

The three commissioners present Wednesday said they appreciate the extension.

"I do think they have been more than patient and very gracious," Hart said.

As the park board continues their talks about the land, it will also have an offer to consider from the Save Open Space group -- residents who announced earlier this week that they plan to put a referendum on the ballot in November to purchase open space throughout the city, including the Hobson West land.

Resident Doug Dallmer, who helped form the group, said he will be meeting with the park district and the Conservation Foundation to discuss land that is available.

"Regardless of what happens with this particular piece of property, the park district and Naperville does need additional open space, and I'm serious about the referendum," Dallmer said.

The park board meets next at 7 p.m. Feb. 14 at the municipal center, 400 S. Eagle St., and will likely discuss the Hobson issue at that time.