Manhattan objects to NorthPoint’s proposal
Developer’s request for private roads reason for complaint
Manhattan officials have filed a formal objection to NorthPoint Development’s rezoning request in Will County, saying it has “serious concerns about the impact” of its proposed warehouse project on its community.
Rejected by Elwood, NorthPoint applied for rezoning to the Will County Land Use Department this summer, seeking to rezone 670 acres from agricultural to industrial use in unincorporated Jackson Township.
The village of Elwood also has filed a legal objection to the request, which requires the county to approve it with a supermajority — 20 of 26 members.
At its meeting Monday, Manhattan village trustees unanimously passed a resolution objecting to the NorthPoint’s request.
In a letter to county officials, Manhattan Mayor James Doyle said the site is not eligible for rezoning because the developer has proposed private roads to access the business park, and private roads are allowed only in a Planned Unit Development.
A PUD is different than a simple rezoning, Manhattan Village Administrator Kevin Sing said.
Trustees spent a lot of time talking to residents, and worked collaboratively with its engineers and attorneys to spell out their con- cerns in a three-page letter, Sing said.
Traffic concerns were “first and foremost,” he said, noting that the greatest impact from this proposed development will be the traffic it generates in the area.
According to the letter, Manhattan noted that the traffic studies provided by NorthPoint lacked supporting documentation and relied on outdated 2014 and 2017 data. The developer’s traffic studies did not refer to the village’s own transportation plan, and did not study key roads and intersections that will be used to access the site, it said.
The application did not address building design, lighting, landscaping, or screening from adjacent property, the letter stated.
As for infrastructure, the plan did not show adequate detail regarding stormwater management, sanitary sewer collection and treatment, and water service, Manhattan officials said.
“We welcome the opportunity to discuss the project with Manhattan and address any issues or concerns they may have,” said Patrick Robinson, vice president of development for NorthPoint in an email. “We have always sought to listen to the community, incorporate feedback into our plan and encourage a dialogue to resolve any issues.”
NorthPoint initially proposed a 2,200-acre warehouse development in Elwood, and the village plan commission recommended approval, despite objections from hundreds of residents.