Bookmark the FTC Web site: http://hwdftc.home.comcast.net
or Click this Link: From the Corner
HIGHWOOD TOWERS ZONING MEETING: On January 18th, 2007 at 7:00 PM the Plan Commission and Zoning Board will commence a new hearing for approval of MEGA Realty's nine story, mixed use Highwood Towers proposal. If you care about Highwood's future, you will be there.
Is This Your Idea of Highwood? Actual Rendering of the MEGA Proposal! And, this rendering may look much better than it actually will when constructed.
You will find the Highwood Towers Zoning submittal and related materials on that web site, available for download. In addition, these materials are available for inspection at Highwood City Hall. Further, FTC has provided the City with CD-ROMs containing the PDF materials. You can pick these up at City Hall.
The Mayor (Bruno Bertucci), his "Vince Team" members, and the City Administrator are hell bent on showing that they are really good at government. Except in this real world, they are trying to demonstrate it by approving the nine story Highwood Towers development in your back yard (if you live anywhere in Highwood it will be in your back yard).
The Vince Team's Next (First?) "Accomplishment" 
The Mayor should remember that FTC is still going out, enjoyed by its readers and forwarded by the readers to hundreds of others, worldwide. FTC is still exposing the folly of the Highwood Towers and trying to inform the readers in hope of bringing sanity to Highwood's government.
At the last Plan Commission/ZBA meeting in December, facing pressure from informed (and outraged citizens) Maria Lasday must have recognized her conflict (acting as ZBA Chair and Acting City Administrator) and the Plan Commission and Zoning Board decided to republish and reopen the Hearing. The Hearing will commence AGAIN on January 18th, 2007 at 7:00 PM at Highwood City Hall.
Hopefully, this time these Boards will demand that:
The developer present real evidence as to why these substantial zoning deviations should even be considered;
Recognize that these entitlements cannot be granted, because the developer cannot legally justify these deviations--it is factually impossible;
Demand that the City perform its own due diligence studies, instead of simply accepting the developer's self serving studies;
Demand staff recommendations and written reports regarding these proposals, including:
A detailed report on the buildings effect from the City Planners. This should include an explanation of how the building can even be considered in light of the findings in the City's Official Comprehensive Plan;
A detailed engineering report regarding the impact on the City's water, sewer, drainage; infrastructure, etc.
A detailed City sponsored traffic study. A study that does not simply analyze the developer's nonsensical (and inconsistent) assumptions; but a traffic study that starts from scratch;
A detailed City sponsored fiscal impact study. A study that does not simply analyze the developer's nonsensical (and inconsistent) assumptions; but a fiscal impact study that starts from scratch;
An analysis of the true costs to the City by this development; and payment of real, substantial impact fees and donations to the City (not the pittance negotiated by our City Administrator) so the taxpayers are not left holding the bag! Remember the 20% (200K) tax increase...you ain't seen nothing yet.);
A detailed City sponsored parking study. A study that does not simply analyze the developer's nonsensical (and inconsistent) assumptions; but a parking study that starts from scratch;
Take the time to hear public comment (no unnecessary 5 minute limitations);
Continue the Hearing as necessary, to direct the staff and developer to bring back necessary information;
After all, the Plan Commission, Zoning Board and City Council work for you, for the benefit of the City, not for the fat cat Development Team. Attend and remind them.
MEGA Realty preparing for demo of Hotel Moraine. "What do they know?"
Remember, this won't happen magically. It will only happen based on your hard work. Come to the Hearing. Bring a friend or family member. Speak up (you can bet the Mayor and the Developer will pack the audience with their trained chimps, flying monkeys and insincere shills). Demand accountability, investigation and diligence from the Boards. 
Make Highwood City government work! If the Mayor and City Council can't run things, it's up to you, the citizens and business owners to do it for them...for yourself.
From left to right: Chimp from HP, Chimp from LF; Chimp from DFLD, commenting at Zoning Meeting
REMEMBER, DON'T FEAR THE TRAINED CHIMPS, FLYING MONKEYS, and INSINCERE SHILLS! THEY ARE LOUD, RUDE, IGNORANT, AND HARMLESS! THE CITY BELONGS TO YOU, NOT VINCE'S OUT OF TOWN "CHIMP BRIGADE" THAT HE MUSTERS TO ATTEND MEETINGS, INTIMIDATE AND STIFLE PUBLIC COMMENT. REMEMBER THAT EVEN MILD MANNERED DOROTHY BEAT THE WICKED WITCH'S FLYING MONKEYS.
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Hoping for a better Highwood tomorrow, through your involvement today!
Thank you for your interest.
Paul P. Diambri
Law Offices of Diambri & Caravello
300 Green Bay Road
Highwood, IL 60040
Phone: 847-433-2800
Fax: 847-433-7270
E-mail: HWDLAW@aol.com
1 comment:
The building of a high rise with so many units in Highwood will DESTROY Highwood's unique small town, family like atmosphere. It will usher in a host of problems. Congestion, a rise in crime and a strain on public services with resulting high taxes.
Although my family name of Santi suggests that my blood lines originated from the hill towns of Modena, I grew up and lived in the Chicagoland area, with Highwood being a second home, as I visited my many relatives and friends who lived there. How I still remember and still admire the "sweat equity" labor of the early paesans helping each other to build or modernize their housing in pre-war Highwood.
These early pioneer immigrants who fled the hill towns of Modena to escape the lack of opportunities there, are now mostly in the "ever after". And, the industrial power that Italy has become today results in almost zero immigration of new Italians to keep up the "Little Italy" flavor of Highwood's by gone days.
Highwoodians should try to preserve the character of the Highwood that was created with the sweat and toil of these early hard working paesans in honor of their memories.
Walter Santi
Bloomingdale, Illinois
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