Berkshire Condominium Association Petition to the Dupage Zoning Board of Appeals

I have commented before and want to add another concern of mine. My property backs to the proposed access road. Our bedroom is on the first floor approximately 12 feet from the fence . This seems like a huge safety issue to me. If a car loses control from the access road and comes through the fence it can do major damage to our homes or worse yet our cause injury to us and our pets. My grandchildren play out there all the time. I also feel our home value would decrease significantly. Who would want to buy a home with a road 12 feet from their bedroom, kitchen or family room?

The plan is just too dense and as such, significant and likely unplanned for, environmental impact will result.

This is a HIGH concern for the neighborhood, worried about the high traffic coming by our parks and inter streets, our cost of damage to our streets due to heavy materials coming in. How much of the cost will impact Berkshire?

I need to hear all of the information so I’ll be there on Thursday.

Why is the property in Lombard when the entire area adjacent to it and all of Berkshire is Oakbrook Terrace? I s this some way of getting around zoning restrictions? Luther will most likely become a main thoroughfare resulting in high traffic and, as a result damage to the roadway. Does the developer have any plans for a HOA and restrictions that will make his development as well cared for as ours? Snow plows, garbage and recycling trucks will have to use our streets.

I signed the petition a few days ago but wish to comment. This development as proposed is a potential nightmare for Berkshire. A paved alley behind all those units is the one of worst things I could imagine. If this development is approved and completed the result will be losses in resale value throughout our HOA - particularly for the units near the development. I hope our management is looking into legal restraints, assessments, requirements or other means of forcing compensation for our future losses and expenses. One suggestion in the event of approval of the development with no satisfactory agreement - if allowable erect an (attractive) fence along the perimeter of Berkshire property from 1118 Essex to Luther with a locked gate blocking vehicular access to/from Luther.

This is unacceptable for all the reasons my neighbors have mentioned. it is a big concern!

We disagree we the re-zoning. We are concerned that it will value the property in our community

We are opposed to the proposed Luther/Essex development for the reasons already articulated by our neighbors: high density, increased traffic with damaging wear and tear on our Berkshire roads, drainage and flooding concerns etc. Soecifically, traffic should not be routed down Essex and Astor unless multiple speed bumps/humps are created to deter speeders. I am also concerned about the landscaping aesthetics of such a project. In addition to the density concern, what is the height of the structures and how will that impact the adjacent Berkshire properties? Has the developer submitted a landscape proposal? There are many mature trees on that parcel, which provide screening and beauty. Responsible developers usually make good effort to preserve as many trees as possible. What new landscaping would he be providing to those new units? With that density, landscaping will be critical. Until these issues are addressed, we are NOT in favor of such development. Berkshire has enjoyed a tranquil and unique beauty, which should be preserved with as much appropriate assurance and modifications from the developer as necessary/ possible.

I share many of the same concerns as my neighbors. Some of our streets are in need of much repair and with no way controlling the traffic acces, it seems that these folks will get the benefits of our maintenance without paying for the street maintenance. In addition, 10 homes seems way to many for the size of the lot and the nature of our homes. I am sure that most folks will believe that these new residences are part of Berkshire, when they obviously will not be.

I agree 100% with Carl’s comments. He has addressed all of my concerns regarding the construction of those 10 homes.

Not opposed to the condominiums, but opposed to the access road for the garages proposed to be built. This road will be adjacent to my bedroom window. Suggest that garages be built on front.

We have already signed the petition but reviewing the full scale layout we have the following concerns: !) The percent of impervious is over 50% of the property even with the proposed pervious street. Where will a heavy rain drain to? Will it drain into our retention pond that was engineered for only our property? What is the county guideline for this? 2) A big safety issue is that salt in freezing weather can not be used on a pervious pavement. That use would clog the pervious pavement's ability to drain. So very close to our homes could easily be a very icy road. With these homes being feet above ours, if a car lost control out of their garage it could slide in our first floor bedroom! 3) An additional safety issue is that the cars turning left onto Luther from their street will be at a blind intersection. This is because of the fence at the end of the property at 1101 Oxford Ct. This is a concern for pedestrians as well as traffic. 4) Where is the flood plain for this area? 5) Who owns the water main that they will need to tie into? 6) Who will own the new street? 7) What does "approximately 5 feet" mean on the proposal, 3 1/2 feet? 8) Will the distance between their buildings be a uniform look at 10 feet like ours or "approximately five feet"? Sincerely, Kent and Sharon Jager

Please do not count this signature again. We have additional concerns after looking at an enlarged proposed layout. A Safety Study as well as an Environmental Study must be completed before this development is allowed to proceed. Safety: Upon reviewing the enlarged drawing, it appears the distance between the 25 ft driveway and our WOODEN fence for Oxford Ct residents is somewhere between 17 to 30 inches. This plot layout demonstrates the lack of concern by this developer for the safety of the residents already living on Oxford Ct. Should a driver lose control of their vehicle for any reason such as impairment, weather, or distractions (phone calls, texting etc) and hit the wooden fence, there would be very little reaction time for adults, children, or pets to move to safety because of our small yards and confined space. This could result in serious injury or even death. It appears there is no plan or regard for heavy snowfall removal. Again, Oxford Ct residents will have to be concerned about their safety and property damage. How will snow plows keep accumulated snow from being pushed up against a wooden fence. Where will the snow be moved to that will not cause damage, safety concerns and potential flooding. During the construction phase we have strong concerns about safety and property damage that could be caused by construction trucks and heavy equipment that will be using the road along our fence line. Essex Access From the developer’s layout, it looks as if the builders are assuming they have access to Essex street for visitors and homeowners to use as their own. It also appears that the intent is to tap into the storm drains on Essex. Are these storm drains considered Berkshire’s property and does this need approval? We are also very concerned about the impact on the environment, and the wildlife.

I agree with the others and add: 1) Prohibit construction traffic on Essex and Astor Avenues. 2) If finished, install sleeping policeman half-way down the 1700 block of Astor to cut down on traffic and constant speeders.

We live directly across from the proposed variance request (Z19-035 Hur) and are in agreement with our neighbors. We ask that this request be denied until the developer can meet with our Association. Sincerely, The McAloon's 1101 Essex Dr

Having been a resident and home owner in Berkshire for nearly 20 years, I have grave concerns regarding this proposed development on many levels. 1)How does the configuration of the proposed 10 units compare with the same land use area in Berkshire? I suspect it would be found significantly more congested in comparison. 2)What is the planned price point of these proposed units and what effect would that have on our property values? 3)Why is the area labeled as being located in Lombard? 4)What impact would the addition of 10 homes have on storm water run off, sewer access and drainage? 5)What is the plan to handle snow removal and placement of removed snow? 6)Who would serve these units with regard to police and fire protection, and how would large vehicles such as waste collection, fire engines and ambulances access the proposed development? 7)How would the new unit owners be required to contribute to the cost of maintaining the PRIVATE streets of Berkshire which they would most certainly utilize for themselves, their guests and any vendors servicing the property and/or units? 8)What is the proposed appearance of the units; will they blend appropriately with the existing homes in Berkshire? 9)The fact that the homes on the south side of Oxford Court would be boxed in by two streets is unreasonable, unacceptable, and would cause undue hardship in decreased property values due to the negative effect on the desirability of those homes. All in all, I believe this proposed development is a very bad idea and cannot imagine anything other than multiple negative impacts upon Berkshire’s current owners/residents and perhaps neighboring homes and properties as well. I am adamantly against this proposed development. Karen Jones 1607 Astor Avenue

I agree with my fellow Berkshire owners. The zoning variance should be denied. Also, no building should be allowed on the site until an Environmental Impact Study is completed on the property. The impact on drainage and wildlife have been raised as potential issues that need to be addressed, and other concerns may be identified with an Environmental Impact Study.

My wife has already contributed on our behalf.

Lakshmi and I express our opposition to the variance request in the Zoning Petition.