{"id":335081,"date":"2025-12-09T18:31:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-09T18:31:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/335081\/"},"modified":"2025-12-09T18:31:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-09T18:31:08","slug":"tennis-club-cuts-back-on-lights-in-revised-application","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/335081\/","title":{"rendered":"Tennis Club cuts back on lights in revised application\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

The River Forest Tennis Club is revising its application to amend an ordinance to add lights to its tennis courts at 615 Lathrop Ave.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to a communication delivered to club members Dec. 3, the club has \u201cdecided to pursue a plan to light only six of the courts (Courts 1-3 and 6-8) so that the light spillage on the Jackson Avenue side of the club can be reduced to zero.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additionally, the communication noted that it will end play at 9 p.m. instead of 9:30 p.m. and limit light usage from May 1 to Sept. 30, instead of April 1 to Oct. 31.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Neighbors, some of them strong opponents, said the revisions are an improvement but still question the fairness of the hearing process.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The village of River Forest development review board held a public hearing on the original application Nov. 6, which had such a large turnout, it was scheduled for continuation last Thursday at village hall. But that continuation was postponed to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 15 to allow public comment on the revised application.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The original application would have added 24 poles at 30 feet tall, with two LED lights on each pole, covering all 10 courts, arranged around the outside fence. According to Village Administrator Matt Walsh, the original application is still being revised for the new parameters and is not currently available.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cStaff met with the applicant to discuss potential revisions to the application,\u201d Walsh said. \u201cWe shared guidance regarding Planned Development Standards and applicable Comprehensive Plan sections that are relevant to the application.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Club president Dan Baker could not be reached for comment Monday or Tuesday morning. Neither could Elias Yanaki, who served as applicant on the original application, and then recused himself from voting on it as a member of the village\u2019s development review board. Also on the development review board are club members Maryanne Fishman, Jane McCole and Ron Lucchesi.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The perception of a conflict of interest is still a major issue in the mind of neighbor Paul Harding. But there is a viable solution, he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a simple thing to resolve,\u201d he said. \u201cFollow the ethics ordinance. Four people have to recuse themselves; you get four replacements and have a hearing. The tennis club gets their hearing, the neighbors get their hearing. It\u2019s fair.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are we putting ourselves through this by not doing the obvious thing?\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Neighbor Carey Palmer said she thinks the revised application \u201cis a step in the right direction, I suppose. I personally don\u2019t think this is going to change my stance.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The conflict of interest question still looms, she added, and agreed with Harding that a development review board vote \u201cthat is objective and impartial\u201d is the most appropriate step.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFor posterity\u2019s sake, to give the neighbors the assurances they\u2019re looking for, a board vote that isn\u2019t impacted by people with membership status,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The club\u2019s Dec. 3 communication to its members underscored its due diligence.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cFinally, please rest assured that the RFTC has conducted itself honorably every step of this process and has been consulting with the village attorney throughout, including in regard to who can present on behalf of the Club and who must recuse themselves from the DRB\u2019s deliberations,\u201d it said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But Harding said there is another issue for contemplation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other thing that I don\u2019t like is that this private organization is a tiny organization, tiny compared to the 11,000 residents of River Forest,\u201d he said. \u201cWhy should this tiny organization have such a big influence on the village? This sets a terrible precedent for the village.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n

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