W-W VP Letter to FP

I commend your letter to the editor (attached) defending the ambiance of the Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in opposing the construction of a proposed Cell Tower in Naperville. Something like this would indeed dominate the otherwise panoramic view from this location and, as you point out, potentially prove detrimental to the rare grassland birds that nest at the preserve.

I would like to call to your attention to another large and quite likely harmful structure being proposed by the Forest Preserve District itself for a location that is most inappropriate with regard to these same considerations. The Fleet Services Building being proposed for Blackwell is indeed a logical addition to the Forest Preserve s maintenance activities. Further, its currently proposed location is near present maintenance buildings, and also near to the new Alternate Fuel Site on Mack Road. However, that precise site would place a massive and noisy 3-story structure adjacent to the main paths and lake in McKee Marsh, a unique jewel and success story in the Forest Preserve s efforts to attract many bird species that are rare in our area. Correspondingly, it brings in numerous nature lovers and bird watchers who have come to love and respect the Marsh as something that the Forest Preserve has done well.

Attached is a view from Google Earth of the McKee Marsh area of Blackwell with the footprint of the proposed building superimposed. Here it would sit looming over the main path along McKee Marsh, emitting sounds of pounding, the whine of hydraulics and air-driven tools, and the sounds of truck engines running in its 18 mechanics bays. This scenario is in sharp contrast to a milieu of peaceful nature that the Forest Preserve prides itself on maintaining for the public. Because of the flat terrain, the building would be prominent from many places along the paths; and it would certainly degrade much of the ambiance of McKee Marsh. It also is likely to make this area unattractive for at least some of the rare bird species who have come to call it home.

I would suggest that the building could just as well be sited south of Mack Road away from local residences and McKee Marsh. A logical site that is very close-by is shown in the other attached photo obtained from Google Earth. The site is shown in the lower left hand corner of the photo, with Route 59 running up the left side and Mack Road running East-West across the center. In the upper right is one of the Blackwell Maintenance facility buildings along side the McKee Marsh parking area. The Alternative Fuel Facility opposite Williams Road is just off the photo to the right. The referenced site is the staging area for the DuPage River cleanup project (now complete in this area) and is owned by the Forest Preserve. It is on high ground, well above the river, and is currently a wasteland. It provides ready access from a main highway (Rt. 59), and is a very short distance from the new Alternative Fueling station.

I trust that you will give serious consideration to this location for the Fleet Maintenance Building, and so keep McKee Marsh as the showplace of Forest Preserve land management that it currently is.

Vice President, West-Win Homeowners Association

Currently proposed Mack/Williams Road Fleet maintenance building site - next to residential area and McKee Marsh wildlife sanctuary. Proposed maintenance building is shown a "white cross area":

Alternative site for Fleet Mtce Building at Mack Rd. and Rt. 59 intersection - the current lay-down area for the DuPage River Thorium cleanup project. See the left section of the picture for proposed area which is already an "industrial site.":

As president of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County, I strongly object to the proposed installation of a 154-foot tall cell tower on Naperville property next to Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve.

In 1986, the District cooperated with the City of Naperville by transferring 2 acres on the northwest corner of Plainfield Road and 87th Street to Naperville so the city could build a fire station and greatly improve public safety. The agreement with Naperville identified the intended use of the property as fire station and not a cell tower or any other use. I believe the District would have never conveyed the property to Naperville had we known that this objectionable use of the property would be considered by Naperville.

Additionally, the proposed tower would not only subtract from the panoramic views that local residents and the 148,000 Springbrook Prairie visitors enjoy each year but also possibly prove detrimental to the rare grassland birds that nest at the preserve. Given that the Forest Preserve District is entrusted by its citizens and subjected to legal mandates requiring the preservation and protection of habitat, we simply cannot support Naperville s efforts to erect a structure that would have such a detrimental effect on a forest preserve we have worked so hard to build and restore.