LTHS Lawsuit Would Be Costly For Willow Springs: Lawyer

WILLOW SPRINGS, IL – Willow Springs' handling of zoning for Lyons Township High School's land in the village has been proper and consistent, a land-use consultant said Tuesday.

At a town hall on the land, consultant John Houseal pointed to zoning regulations and long-term plans for development over three decades that he said showed consistency for the area in question.

The zoning for the 70 acres allows residential and light commercial uses, but not industrial, he said.

Given the allowed uses, Houseal said, the village is not impairing the value of the high school's property.

"I have not seen any evidence that the property is vacant because of zoning," he said. "The zoning accommodates a wide range of uses. If it only allowed one-acre single-family houses, you could make the case it should be loosened up."

Houseal was hired to examine the land's zoning. This was in response to the high school's effort earlier this year to sell the site to an industrial developer, which neighbors and village officials opposed.

In January, the school's lawyer advised the board behind closed doors that Willow Springs would be "hard-pressed" to deny a zoning change. He said village trustees were likely fearful of litigation if they rejected industrial uses. (The board later ousted the lawyer.)

At the town hall, Burt Odelson, an attorney for the village, noted the possibility of litigation.

"If we were sued by a large industrial company and the school, it would be extremely expensive to defend by our small village," Odelson said.

After Houseal's presentation, Odelson said the consultant's report would serve as the village's defense of its zoning in court. He said the high school would be wasting taxpayers' money to sue Willow Springs.

School officials were present.

The board's vice president, Jill Grech, was among the speakers during public comments. She said the board wanted to make a decision on the land that positively impacts all students.

"It is our intent to work with all municipal partners as we consider the future use of the property based on shared needs and priorities of our school, students and community," Grech said, but she said nothing about the possibility of litigation.

When she concluded her speech, Grech was applauded, as were those who denounced school officials.

The land in question is next to Pleasantdale Elementary School, houses, parkland, a country club and a UPS facility.

The recordings of the high school board's closed meetings in January revealed members talking about how they kept the village and Pleasantdale School District 107 in the dark about its plans to sell to an industrial developer.

During public comments, Arlene Cabana, president of Pleasantdale's board, said the high school board's actions caused much "angst and trepidation" for residents. She said the school was 25 feet from the high school's land.

"Industry does not belong next to a school," she said.

She said the health and safety of students and the community trumps any financial duty that she said the high school claims to have.

The Village Hall's meeting room was filled with a standing-room-only crowd, which spilled out into the hallway.

The first couple of rows were reserved for officials from nearby towns and public bodies that supported Willow Springs in its battle with the high school.

The officials were from Countryside, Indian Head Park, Burr Ridge, McCook, Lyons Township and Pleasant Dale Park District.

High school officials, including Superintendent Brian Waterman, did not sit in the reserved section, but were among those standing in the hallway. Waterman watched as a number of speakers denounced his effort to sell to an industrial developer.

Last year, Village President Melissa Neddermeyer called for Waterman's firing.