Keep Truck Repair, Fuel, Noise, Equipment, and Pollutants Away from Wildlife in Waterfall Glen Fores

Darien is considering the approval of the use of about 10.25 acres as a truck terminal that is open 24 hours a day, the proposal "has 9 truck service bays, a fuel-island, wash bay, and roughly 30 mechanics over three shifts ... office area ... retail showroom for customers to view and purchase related parts and accessories (retail space)... warehouse ... outside storage ... Leased CR England Space (for) CR England's Tractors and trailers will enter into the west driveway for access into the space ... where they park their commercial tractors and trailers to support their 24 hour drop yard."
General Comments: The proposed use of this property dramatically and adversely affects the surrounding community. It begins a slippery slope of further industrialization of properties which have historically been agricultural and residential. The project detracts from Darien's motto, "A nice place to live." Living near, driving by, and hiking next to a Truck terminal is "not nice." Living by or walking in a forest preserve viewing cyclone fences encompassing a truck repair and service facility with "modular buildings" and noisy 24 hour repair operations is "not nice." Having continuing concerns about noise and chemical pollutants is "not nice." We have significant concerns about the habitat quality of the Forest Preserve's adjacent wetlands and wildlife.

The proposed use of this property will add significant traffic on South Frontage Rd. from customers, employees, and trucks. Who maintains the road and will pay to improve the grading of the road to handle the extra use and significant weight of freight bearing trucks? Will trucks be required to enter and exit via Cass Ave? What are the expected traffic counts? Will there be weight limit signs in and out of the east side? Beyond these concerns IACTK has requested maintaining a 24 hour work shift at the facility. The 24 hour noise (particularly throughout the night) from the refrigeration units and trucks will disturb the nearby forest preserve users, animals, and residents.

What is being done to ensure the protection from fuel run-off and other pollutants into the adjacent Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve with its wetlands and Sawmill Creek? With the setback variances in place, what if any protections will be in place? For example, will they be using ammonia, a common chemical in refrigeration systems? If so, how much will be stored there? What if it leaks? Who will be responsible for any clean up if any contaminants that are found in Saw Mill Creek or in the forest preserve?

We strongly urge that this project be abandoned and that IACTK be asked to consider other locations outside of Darien perhaps in an existing industrial area that is not adjacent to one of Dupage County’s “jewels” the Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve. Does Darien really want to entertain such a venture and jeopardize what is a strong asset to the surrounding area? If this property has not already been bought by IACTK or there are conditions in the contract related to these variances then we most strongly oppose the approvals of these variances; they create an even greater harm to Darien, Willowbrook, Argonne Labs, and the Forecast Preserve. We strongly believe that this development will adversely affect residential property values, property taxes, and quality of life in DuPage County.