The Will County Board voted Thursday to reject a plan by Badger Daylighting Corporation to operate an office and store its trucks on site after the case was delayed multiple times to allow the company to work out a potential compromise with Homer Glen and Homer Township officials.
Village and township residents and officials have protested the nondestructive hydro-excavation business’s plan to relocate from Channahon to about 38 acres on 159th Street in Homer Township.
As of this week, more than 900 residents signed an online petition opposing the project.
Badger needed 17 yes votes from the County Board members to proceed because Homer Glen filed a legal objection to the plan.
The company fell just short, as only 16 board members voted in favor of the project and 6 board members opposed it.
For the past three months, Homer Township Supervisor Sue Steilen and Homer Glen Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike told county officials that Badger’s proposal does not fit with the area’s long-term plans. They were concerned rezoning the property would set off a reaction of more intensive zoning for the corridor.
Neitzke-Troike said she appreciated the County Board members who heard the voices of Homer Glen, Homer Township, Lockport and the nearby residents.
“The village will now move forward on securing our boundary lines,” she said.
Steilen said she is pleased with the outcome and said another site would be better suited to Badger’s needs.
“Still, I can’t feel fully satisfied knowing that 16 board members voted against the wishes of Homer Township, the village of Homer Glen and the city of Lockport,” Steilen said. “That is very difficult to understand.”
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Residents expressed fear the business’s heavy reliance on water would adversely affect their aquifers, noting nearby homes use well and septic systems.
Nearby resident Joyce Hale said the company’s business plan puts their wells at risk. Already, she has to drill her own well deeper at a cost of $20,000.
“How can this possibly be approved without protecting the residents who actually live there,” Hale said. “Once this property is rezoned, we cannot simply undo that decision.”
Resident Benny Collesano questioned who would be responsible for improvements to the residents’ water supply if homeowners’ wells are affected.
Company officials said they use about 20,000 gallons of water per day, but offered to fill its trucks with water at an off-site location, which is a common practice.
“Depleting the aquifer shouldn’t be a concern,” said Logan Mellott, chief operating officer for Badger.
The company also offered to sell or donate a portion of the property to the Forest Preserve District of Will County to provide a buffer between nearby homes.
Badger attorney Cass Wennlund said the company agreed to the requests from residents and village and township officials.
The company also looked at other property along 159th Street at Neitzke-Troike’s request, but it did not meet Badger’s needs, Mellott said.
Patrick Young with Operating Engineers Local 150 urged the board to approve Badger’s project, saying it would provide quality jobs and was a good use of the property.
Residents also cited increased concerns with truck traffic, because Badger trucks could generate 80 to 120 trips per day, as well as increased noise and pollution.
Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.