Hazel Crest Board of Trustees and Mayor Issue Statement Against Development of Calumet Country Club
HOMEWOOD, Ill. - February 17, 2021 — Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry and the Hazel Crest Board of Trustees gave an immediate statement last night after a closed session in an emergency board meeting. The statement, shared with the public on Facebook live, was released almost exactly 24 hours before the continuation of the Homewood Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, taking place at Homewood Village Hall (2020 Chestnut) on February 17, 2021 at 7 p.m.
In the statement, Alsberry condemned the plan and Homewood officials’ representation of Hazel Crest’s position on the site. Alsberry said that Hazel Crest officials were “shocked” to learn that settlement terms made between Homewood and the developer included allocating $100,000 “to sue the village of Hazel Crest” for exercising its property rights. He said, “This is beyond bad business; it is downright immoral and insulting to our community.”
Alsberry and the board cited Hazel Crest’s status both as a “Tree City USA,” which is awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation, and members of the “Greenest Region Compact” as reasons for their opposition to the trucking hub developer’s destruction of more 2,000 mature trees and almost 130 acres of greenspace. Homewood also has the distinction of being designated as a “Tree City USA” and also signed onto the “Greenest Region Compact” in March 2019.
In a video released by Homewood Mayor Hofeld last week, Hofeld emphatically blamed Hazel Crest officials for the terms of the unpopular settlement to end Diversified Partner, LLC’s suit to disconnect from the village of Homewood, which included rezoning the property, the creation of a TIF, and the allocation of funds to have the main entrance to the site go through Hazel Crest’s acreage on the eastern side of the property on Dixie Highway. Hofeld said that if the project didn’t advance in Homewood, then Diversified would annex to Hazel Crest and complete the project regardless. “Homewood or Hazel Crest, Homewood or Hazel Crest, HOMEWOOD OR HAZEL CREST,” he repeated in the video.
Not only did Hazel Crest officials’ statement come out against the development by Walt Brown Jr.’s company, but Alsberry went on to say, “Hazel Crest will not consider annexing this property based on this development and this proposed development plan. We do not want to do business with this developer” (Diversified Partners, LLC.) Finally, Alsberry called for Homewood and Hazel Crest to join forces, by working with Cook County and the state of Illinois, to make the property “available to all Southland residents.”
South Suburbs for Greenspace over Concrete (SSGOC) supports Hazel Crest officials’ call for unity and the transformation of this greenspace into something that will benefit all of our communities’ health and happiness. Homewood, Hazel Crest, East Hazel Crest and all Southland communities will benefit from preserving and reimagining the gem that is 130 acres of greenspace in the middle of residences, highways, and businesses. SSGOC is calling for residents and concerned parties to show their support of Hazel Crest’s statement and call for Southland cooperation at the Homewood Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The comments section of the Hazel Crest’s Facebook video is filled with affirmation and gratitude from the residents of the surrounding communities, including members of South Suburbs for Greenspace over Concrete. One comment read “Proud of our good neighbor Hazel Crest.” Alsberry closed with a call for unity in opposition to Diversified’s theoretical development with what is quickly becoming a rally cry, saying, “Southland Proud.”
About South Suburbs for Greenspace over Concrete
A multi-racial group of concerned residents of Homewood, Hazel Crest, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Chicago Heights, South Holland and Glenwood formed in opposition to Diversified Partner LLC’s planned development of Calumet Country Club (2136 175th St, Homewood, IL 60430) into a fulfillment/trucking hub. The group is a campaign of SAFE.
About Illinois Southland Against Fossil Energy
Illinois Southland Against Fossil Energy was founded in response to the proposed gas-burning power plant in Glenwood. SAFE is building an inclusive, multi-racial coalition that believes the Southland needs and deserves a clean environment, clean government, healthy people, and a healthy economy.