New Lenox village officials said they want to submit their own open space plan as a possible substitute for a wetland conservation ordinance required by a regional planning agency.
Village Administrator Russ Loebe said the lowland conservancy district ordinance required by the Northeast Illinois Planning Commission “creates an undue mandate” that demands more bureaucratic levels, duplicating on the village level conservation responsibilities already assumed by agencies such as the Army Corps of Engineers.
The additional responsibilities would be “onerous and burdensome” for the village, he said.
Trustee Patrick Flynn said he opposes the NIPC measure as too restrictive of property rights.
The village’s comprehensive plan already focuses on a commitment to preserving streams and wetlands, said planning and development administrator Carrie Hansen.
The open space plan expected to be added to the comprehensive plan is “a good faith effort (that) shows we’re serious about this,” Hansen said.
Loebe said NIPC is requiring that the village pass the ordinance before NIPC will allow the village to build a new wastewater treatment plant in the northwest corner of the village.