DuPage panel supports plan to rezone golf course

A plan to build multifamily housing on what’s now a golf course could win approval from the DuPage County Board, despite opposition from neighbors and Lombard officials.

The county board’s development committee on Tuesday voted 5-1 to recommend approval of a request to rezone and redevelop the Ken-Loch Golf Links near Lombard.

If the full county board approves the application next week, it would pave the way for Donven Homes to construct apartments and townhouses on the 31-acre property along Finley Road north of 22nd Street.

However, Lombard officials and residents who live near the site say the land should remain zoned for houses.

On Tuesday, dozens of opponents filled the county board room to ask officials to reject the rezoning request.

“Like most people here, I’m not against development of this area,” Lombard Trustee Reid Foltyniewicz said. “I’m against the rezoning until I hear a valid reason why the current zoning should be changed.”

Donven Homes, which plans to buy the golf course from the brother and sister who own it, wants to build four apartment buildings, a clubhouse and 18 structures with townhouses. The development — dubbed Woodmoor on Finley Road — would have 392 dwelling units.

The company claims the development would be “the highest and best use” of the land. But Lombard officials weren’t convinced when Donven Homes asked the village to consider annexing the golf course and rezoning the site.

Instead, Lombard trustees gave the site a new land-use designation calling for 75 percent of the land to remain open space.

“The residents in the village are all for the right kind of development,” Foltyniewicz said. “We have yet to hear a reason why apartments and rentals are the only option.”

Opponents have argued the proposed development would increase traffic congestion, cause flooding and put a strain on schools and other local government services.

But a traffic study claims the development would have little impact on the road system. In addition, Donven Homes insists the project will have “extensive” stormwater detention that could address some existing flooding problems.

Mike Roth, the attorney representing Donven Homes, said the zoning board of appeals considered all the issues and still recommended approval.

“It was found that this development as proposed would be compatible with the existing land uses as well as the existing zoning in this area,” Roth said. “There’s a variety of land uses surrounding this property. This proposed use would be a wonderful transition.”