Gurnee neighborhood, retailer clash again

Neighborhood complaints have prompted a big-box retailer to work with Gurnee to fix a stormwater retention pond and replace dead trees that purportedly resulted from the store's construction.

It's the latest clash between Lowe's and residents in the Greystone townhouse subdivision. The residents and others on Gurnee's west side fought against Lowe's, which opened in January.

Greystone resident David Pettinger told the village board last week that construction of the Lowe's store bordering his neighborhood created problems in the stormwater retention pond. He asked village officials for help.

Pettinger contended occasional high water in the pond near Lowe's engulfed at least 11 trees and caused them to die. The trees were planted by Lowe's to help shield the store from the homes.

In a memo issued to Gurnee's elected officials Wednesday, Village Engineer David Ziegler said a recent meeting with Lowe's Companies Inc. representatives and others involved in the project should lead to a resolution of the problems.

Pettinger said he wants the pond - in the subdivision south of Rollins and Grand - restored to its original condition. He said pumps, controls and electrical service for an aeration system were removed during the Lowe's construction, which led to stagnant water and algae that were visible Tuesday.

"We remember being told by Lowe's that they would be a good partnership and that they wouldn't be an eyesore or cause any kind of problem," said Pettinger, one of the original objectors in 2006. "They were going to go over and above to meet our needs."

Ziegler said electrical equipment for the aeration system has been ordered and should be completed soon. Other work also is on tap.

"There are several trees that need to be replaced from the original installation throughout the site," Ziegler said. "The contractor is aware and will be replacing this material this fall under better planting conditions."

Lowe's spokeswoman Maureen Rich said the company is working with Gurnee to resolve every issue affecting the Greystone neighborhood.

Flooding, additional traffic problems on busy thoroughfares and water pollution were among the reasons residents cited when they fought the Lowe's plan in 2006.

Despite the gripes, Gurnee village board trustees granted approval to Lowe's to build the 138,000-square-foot store on 14 acres at Rollins Road and Grand Avenue.

Before it opened, Lowe's issued a release stating the Gurnee store represented an investment of about $18.5 million in the community and was expected to create up to 175 jobs.

Meanwhile, Ziegler said Gurnee is addressing another concern Pettinger raised about dirt mounds on a site where a strip mall is to be built across from Lowe's. Pettinger said weeds and blowing dirt are among the problems. Ziegler said the village is working with the property owner to better stabilize the soil stockpiles.