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Residents and trustees press BP and village on pipeline tree clearing in Homer Glen
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Summary
Longview Drive residents and trustees raised concerns that BP is marking and clearing private property, including heritage trees; trustees asked staff to arrange on-site meetings with BP and to consider ordinance changes to require notification to residents.
Residents and trustees used public comment and committee reports Sept. 11 to press the village and BP officials for more answers about pipeline work in the Long Run Creek area and alleged tree clearing on or near private property.
"I realized we had a jet fuel pipeline… that carries approximately 1,180,000 gallons of fuel per day," said Christine Adder, a Longview Drive resident and mechanical engineer, describing the easement that runs behind several properties. Adder told trustees she was surprised to find heavy brush-clearing and said modern inspection technologies such as drones and in-line "smart pigs" could reduce the need for widespread canopy removal.
Trustee Councilino, reporting for the environment committee, said residents had alleged BP was marking and clearing trees on private property without adequate notification and that some removed trees could be centuries old. Councilino asked staff to set a meeting with concerned residents and a BP representative and recommended posting clearer guidance on the village website about residents' options when utilities propose work adjacent to private property.
Village engineer Brett Westcott said staff had been coordinating with BP and that village right-of-way rules allow clearing in some areas; he and the village manager agreed to set up an on-site meeting with residents. "We've been coordinating with BP and some of the residents that live along Longview Drive, and we're setting up a meeting on-site to discuss that with them," Westcott said.
Trustees discussed possible code changes to strengthen notification requirements for utilities when work affects private property. The environment committee requested staff examine ordinances to require formal notice and clearer procedures before tree marking or clearing.
What happens next: village staff will schedule an on-site meeting with residents and BP representatives and will report back with options for increased notification requirements and potential ordinance language.
