Environmental Issues Developed

Excerpt from Green Vision Final Report, June 2004 Section 5.2, First Workshop

The following is a compiled list of the environmental issues developed by the stakeholders at the 1st session. The number of "dots" represents the number of "votes" given each issue, which indicates the relative importance given to each issue by the participants.

Issues

Loss of Natural Resources, Wildlife & Habitat

  • Loss of wildlife, mature trees, habitat, open space (31 dots)
  • Need for "open" environment - avoid density (5 dots)
  • Lack of definition of open space acreage; how much? (4 dots)
  • Squeezing out the wilderness (3 dots)
  • Lack of wildlife corridors (2 dots)
  • Secure more open space (2 dots)
  • Too much clear cutting with development
  • Improve wildlife management in development planning

Character/Attitude

  • Loss of rural character (13 dots)
  • Loss of dark skies - light pollution/noise pollution (11 dots)
  • Lack of community identity (4 dots)
  • Heritage communities (4 dots)
  • Loss of farmland (4 dots)
  • Too much impervious surface (3 dots)
  • Lack of respect for environment (2 dots)
  • Unfamiliarity with natural resource issues among youth
  • Lack of pride of community

Recreation

  • Not enough recreational public areas, parks (9 dots)
  • Trails connecting spaces, schools, wetlands (9 dots)
  • Need more parkland - parkland is not balanced throughout the community (4 dots)
  • Open lands - make more accessible trails, etc. (3 dots)
  • Lack of greenways and trails (2 dots)
  • More small "natural neighborhood parks"
  • Open space for public events (4 dots)

Flooding

  • Flooding/Stormwater management (12 dots)
  • Flooding in Chickasaw Subdivision (2 dots)
  • Maintain existing storm water facilities 151st and Parker

Schools/Education Funding

  • Funding for schools - lack of government support
  • Neighboring community impacts especially schools

Transportation/Traffic Congestion

  • Traffic congestion (15 dots)
  • Lack of alternate transportation modes: sidewalks and pathways (9 dots)
  • Lack of Transportation Planning (5 dots)
  • Access to/enhance public transportation (4 dots)
  • Impact of roadway expansions (4 dots)
  • Need major roads that can handle increased future traffic (3 dots)
  • Rural street enter-sections vs. urban sections (2 dots)
  • Traffic impacts (issues - noise, environment/air, safety, etc.)
  • Environmental impacts of long commutes
  • Too many parking lots
  • Make no changes to Parker Road South of 159th
  • Reduce speeds around forest preserves and other open space
  • I-355 and Bruce Road Strategic Regional Artery - Environment impacts

Utilities

  • Lack of sewage treatment capacity
  • Septic system problems

Drinking Water

  • Maintaining aquifer for diminishing supply (4 dots)
  • Crisis in well water (purifier)
  • Better management of aquifers

Housing

  • Housing density (4 dots)
  • Resource efficient residential construction (lack of)

Growth/Management

  • Development in the remaining wooded areas (mature) (6 dots)
  • Growth (4 dots)
  • Encroaching of next door communities (4 dots)
  • Look at "conservation design" "cluster development" (4 dots)
  • Development is too rapid - no chance to develop infrastructure and services (4 dots)
  • Avoid environmentally unfriendly development (3 dots)
  • Lot sizes: loss of large lots (2 dots)
  • Big lot size does not equal open space (2 dots)
  • Retain the open area on 151st West of Parker to Gougar (2 dots)
  • Keep open space areas within the developed areas (2 dots)
  • Large lot size/pattern (1 acre) (2 dots)
  • Development (2 dots)
  • Development near power lines
  • Save 147th and Lemont on the Northwest corner
  • Reclamation facility on South Bell road and 163rd
  • Too much development on small lots with no open space
  • Subdividing larger lots to smaller ones
  • Need for protection of 40 acres woods South of 135th, West of Parker
  • Work against development of Leona's prop. Parker and 131st (dense development)
  • Lack of control of destiny
  • Competition with surrounding communities
  • Hazard materials - here and going through and result of growth
  • Need "watch-dog" / maintaining development

Commercial/Industrial Development

  • Balance commercial and residential development. Residential is now ahead of commercial (3 dots)
  • Low quality of commercial development amount, management, type
  • Fear that commercial will take over for environment concerns
  • Industrial pollution
  • Lack integrated landscaping, stormwater management in commercial development

Water Pollution/Water Impact

  • Preservation of all wetlands, loss of wetlands (6 dots)
  • Water and groundwater pollution (4 dots)
  • Poorly developed detention ponds (4 dots)
  • Erosion/erosion of stream banks (3 dots)
  • Water drainage (2 dots)
  • Stream degradation, pollution (2 dots)
  • Long run creek water shed quality (2 dots)
  • Retention of water
  • Development on lowlands/wetlands
  • Building too close to streams
  • Water control and quality
  • Impervious material