College of DuPage as Viewed from BLMH - Part 3

This is the latest in a series on COD construction, from the perspective of an owner and board member at Briarcliffe Lakes Manor Homes.

Several members of the BLMH board have twice recently met with Dr. Breuder to discuss the issues and present our concerns. The response of the college is a mutually beneficial arrangement of the property along the eastern boundary of BLMH. I was one of the attendees, as was our treasurer and the welcome director. We also attended the earlier County Zoning Board of Appeals meetings.

The plan of the college will permit them to use more of the property that was once simply green space. In removing this buffer, a berm and plantings will provide alternative shielding for our association.

Some information has been distributed via newsletters to our owners. Much more has been provided during association meetings and a detailed discussion with several artists renderings was provided and explained during the annual meeting of September 27. As most owners did not attend, most owners were not aware of the details of these meetings. Too bad. With attendance at these meetings comes understanding, information and knowledge.

The September 17th Meeting
On September 17 a meeting was held in Dr. Breuder's office for a frank discussion of the details of the current plans of the college along our eastern property line. During that discussion Dr. Breuder provided several architect's artistic renderings, and a drawing of the latest version of Pond 9. However, as the necessary permits had not yet been received for the pond, it is not possible to provide final information to our owners. Our management, attorney, and a representative of our maintenance company also attended. I prepared a follow-up letter to Dr. Breuder, for issuance via our attorney.

The following is a rendition of the tree lined berm that is being built along the eastern property line of our association. It will extend from the north lake (Lake #3) in a southerly direction along our property line. It will be sodded and irrigated, and will be topped with conifers. There will also be some deciduous trees. It was stated that the work on the BLMH side of the berm will be completed in 2012. It was also stated that the toe of the berm will be 20 feet from our property line. The berm will be 6 feet tall. The purpose is to shield our property from the pond and other COD construction. The tall object is the existing WDCB, FM 90.9 radio tower.

Clicking will open a New Window> COD Artistic Rendition

October 2 Meeting at the College
We were provided with an invitation to a meeting at the college for neighbors. I RSVP'd and attended, as did our treasurer and welcoming director. We were provided with additional information about the plans of the college, and with an update.

Dr. Breuder stated that the planting of the connifers on the berm would occur in 2013. This is a delay, and some might be disappointed. However, I remain optimistic that this work by the college will be ultimately beneficial to our owners, and will deal with the issue of replacing the green space with another type of boundary.

Additional Information and Video 
The owners who attended the annual meeting were also provided a view of a large scale artistic rendering of the new CMC building which will be built about 300 feet east of our property line. This rendering was provided by the college.

According to the college, the CMC building will replace a 40 year old maintenance building. Details of the construction were explained to the owners who attended the annual meeting.

I've taken a recent video of the construction of the berm. However, work is proceeding quite rapidly and since the video was made the college has planted deciduous trees. At this point in time, I may wait a week or so and see if the turf in installed. Then I'll post an updated video.

Of course, our owners can view this at any time, so posting here is for those who can't easily get access, or those owners who won't take a walk along our eastern paths.