Homer Glen trustees hold lengthy workshop on proposed tree-preservation rules as residents press for stronger protections

The Village of Homer Glen Board of Trustees held an extended workshop to consider proposed amendments to Chapter 138 of the village code that would change environmental conservation and tree-preservation rules, drawing public comment from homeowners and the environment committee and detailed staff presentation of proposed mitigation and penalty changes.

The proposed revisions would apply tree-protection rules to all parcels, lower the minimum diameter that triggers mitigation from 6 inches to 5 inches for deciduous trees, tighten mitigation ratios for larger “heritage” trees, and raise cash-in-lieu rates where on-site replacement is not possible. Director Gruber told the board the broad goal was “to help preserve as many of the existing mature trees in the village as possible.”

At least eight residents and environment-committee members spoke in favor of stronger protections. Joe Therese, a member of the environment committee, said residents “just love their trees” and argued the changes would “help development here in Homer Glen” by preserving the wooded character that attracts homebuyers. Andy Penelli, president of the Deborah Woods Homeowners Association, said the current ordinance “doesn’t effectively discourage enough removal of trees or encourage replacement when they need to be removed,” and cited examples he said showed substantial tree loss on smaller lots. Heidi Pasella, who reviewed the proposed code changes, said, “The bottom line is that trees are important to our community, and we need to be sure they are healthy, replaced if cut down, and we need to incorporate the residents…