Politics & Government

Mormon Church Receives Village Board's Blessing

An amended plan that keeps church traffic out of the neighboring White Pines subdivision was key to its passage.

So pronounced Trustee James Racich Monday, moments after the unanimously approved a site plan for the on Ridge Road, south of 127th Street.

Three weeks ago, the board heard from nearly a dozen to church traffic being routed through their neighborhood. More than 40 other residents filled the village board chamber in opposition to the plan; an equal number of church members attended in support.

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The church’s entrance/exit through the subdivision was necessitated by village staff rejecting a full interchange at Ridge Road to accommodate church traffic. Ridge Road is one day to become the Wikaduke Trail, a main thoroughfare linking Will, Kendall, Kankakee and DuPage counties, and turn lanes need to be limited now in anticipation of the road eventually being built, staff said.

Trustees countered that Wikaduke has been in the concept stage for at least 15 or 20 years and it’s no closer to being built now than when first proposed. They directed staff to work with church officials to draft a plan that included a full interchange and kept church traffic out of the neighborhood.

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Staff was also able to strike a deal that will use both subdivision and church land to create higher berms to screen homes from the church’s large parking lot. Residents had complained that the proposed berms were too low.

“Government can function as it should,” Racich said, “and (this is) just a perfect illustration of that.”

Other than Racich’s comments commending staff, residents and church officials for coming together on an agreement, there was no discussion from the board on the site plan; variance allowing for a 70-foot unlighted church steeple, which is 25 feet higher than allowed by ordinance; and the annexation agreement, which will be drafted by the village attorney.

The church is expected to serve 270 to 300 people every Sunday, most of whom are now attending Mormon churches in Joliet or Naperville. Construction is expected to start next spring and be completed sometime in late 2012 or early 2013.


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