Preserve Our Way
Alderman Contact Reaching out to our Alderman conveying our concerns is critically important. Please use the form for contact information Alderman Contact
“Preserve Our Way” is a multi–HOA Cooperative primarily focused on stopping the current Pulte Development proposal that has been given to West Chicago for approval. The Pulte development “Preserve at West Branch” is located on the hill to the north of St Andrews Golf Course and South of Smith Rd. and West of Kline Rd. It calls for 269 new homes with two street entrances, one on Smith Rd and one on Kline Rd. Proposed building is not consistent with the areas existing homes in size, build quality, or home values. 20 % of the homes are less than 2000 sq ft. and 68% of the homes are less than 3000 sq ft. in floor plan. Average lot size is very small at less than 1/5 acre.
“Preserve Our Way” is a multi–HOA Cooperative primarily focused on stopping the current Pulte Development proposal that has been given to West Chicago for approval. The Pulte development “Preserve at West Branch” is located on the hill to the north of St Andrews Golf Course and South of Smith Rd. and West of Kline Rd. It calls for 269 new homes with two street entrances, one on Smith Rd and one on Kline Rd. Proposed building is not consistent with the areas existing homes in size, build quality, or home values. 20 % of the homes are less than 2000 sq ft. and 68% of the homes are less than 3000 sq ft. in floor plan. Average lot size is very small at less than 1/5 acre.
Following are the Major concerns:
"Preserve Our Way" is a multi–HOA Cooperative primarily focused on stopping the Preserving our communites and coexisting with the surrounding natural landscapecurrent Pulte Development proposal that has been given to West Chicago for approval. The Pulte development “Preserve at West Branch” is located on the hill to the north of St Andrews Golf Course and South of Smith Rd. and West of Kline Rd. OA Cooperative primarily focused on stopping the Preserving our communites and coexisting with the surrounding natural landscapecurrent Pulte Development proposal that has been given to West Chicago for approval. The Pulte development “Preserve at West Branch” is located on the hill to the north of St Andrews Golf Course and South of Smith Rd. and West of Kline Rd. It calls for 269 new homes with two street entrances, one on Smith Rd and one on Kline Rd. Proposed building is not consistent with the areas existing homes in size, build quality, or home values. 20 % of the homes are less than 2000 sq ft. and 68% of the homes are less than 3000 sq ft. in floor plan. Average lot size is very small at less than 1/5 acre.- Road Safety – Neither Kline nor Smith Roads are wide enough for two trucks to pass. They barely are wide enough for one truck and a car. There are over 1000 bikers weekly that travel on these two roads, and this has been designated as the number one requested Bike Path project in Wayne Township. As Kline Rd twists and turns with several hills, it is potentially very dangerous especially for 269 new homes with over 500 new cars.
- Environmental Impact – The Pulte study does not identify any threatened wildlife or unique flora or fauna and has described the build design to virtually clear-cut and scrape 111 acres. In contrast the current 1000 neighbors currently living around the hill are quite aware of the endangered yellow headed blackbird, fox kits that are born annually and a new developing Sand Hill Crane Rookery that has been on the hill for the last two years. In addition, we are all familiar with the unique Fen that is on this property as well in the West Branch Forest Preserve. This is unique in that it is the highest elevation in DuPage County yet has water and wetland features that due to the unique alkaline pH of the soil and high-water table, can be home to flowers and insects that haven’t existed in over 100 years since it has been farmed.
- Stormwater Runoff – The surrounding area has always had a love-hate relationship with the Hill in that a tremendous amount of water drains down and off the property. Due to the extensive construction density, it is expected the impermeable acreage will be almost 60% of the 111 acres. It has been calculated that the water runoff will be DOUBLE vs current stormwater. Several subdivisions will be seriously impacted.
- Traffic Studies – The Pulte Traffic Study states the current roads will handle the 40% growth in residents’ vehicles. What was not taken into consideration was the large % of traffic exiting south to North Ave that turns east on St Charles and crosses at the traffic light on Prince Crossing. The Traffic Study failed to account for any traffic turning on/off of St Charles Rd. The Study also did not consider transportation of school kids: estimated 240 new students will all be traveling from Smith north on Petersdorf.
- U46 is the designated school district even though this area has been annexed by West Chicago. The U46 plans are already calling for a new school to be built in SouthEast Wayne Township. This means significantly increased taxes even though the general student population is declining.