Towns Should Parley on I-355 Development

October 28, 2007

With the opening of Interstate 355's south extension just two weeks away, "the future" is ready to arrive for towns along the new toll road.

Concerns about that future surfaced last week with Homer Glen Mayor Jim Daley telling Lockport officials that developing land next to the interstate into industrial property might not be in the city's long-term best interests. Daley said he's gotten phone calls from Lockport residents who are concerned about the proposed development of three industrial parks.

"Those Lockport residents realize that Lockport is selling themselves short of the potential they have for the I-355 corridor," Daley said.

Lockport Mayor Tim Murphy says the industrial development will provide tax revenue so that improvements can be made to the downtown area and other parts of the city, as well as keeping local property taxes at a reasonable level.

Homer Glen, which prides itself on being a community in harmony with the environment, is planning residential and commercial development along the interstate. New Lenox has plans for at least two big shopping centers, and wants to develop office space.

We should point out that industrial parks along interstates have been successful in our Southland - developments along 1-80 in Mokena and Tinley Park are prime examples - and shouldn't be automatically written off as a bad land use.

Municipalities, by law, get to control how land is used within their corporate boundaries. So all three neighboring communities along I-355 have the right to decide what's the best use for property next to the interstate. That, however, doesn't mean the towns don't have some obligations to their next-door neighbors.

For instance, Daley said he has concerns about heavy trucks that might go through Homer Glen on their way to the Lockport industrial parks. Big trucks can cause noise and pollution problems, as well as tear up local roads. Similarly, Homer Fire Protection District Chief Michael Schofield said much of the 500 acres proposed for the industrial parks would fall within his jurisdiction, and would boost the need for fire department services. These are legitimate concerns.

Schofield suggested that the communities embark on a regional economic development plan. That's a good idea, even if it only addresses general land use in the area and concerns that development brings in neighboring towns. Lockport will ultimately be making decisions on the industrial park proposals but should at least hear what the officials next-door have to say.

We think the three towns should regularly meet to hash out development issues along the interstate. Development along the road will be going on for several years but we think officials from Lockport and Homer Glen and New Lenox should start talking now about what's best for all three communities.

That's what neighbors are supposed to do.