Homer Glen residents urge protections as BP prepares work along pipeline; trustees form subcommittee review

Joe Therese, a Homer Glen resident, told the village board on Oct. 24 that the village’s current tree ordinance — which applies to parcels of five acres or larger — “covers nothing” of the village and urged trustees to change the rule so more properties are protected. He asked that the board establish a BP pipeline subcommittee that would include Mayor Christine, Margaret Sabo, precinct captain Dave Buckley and resident John McGee, and to examine whether BP would cover flood damage should tree removal increase flooding risk. “I read that, BP made a record $22,000,000,000 profit last year,” Therese said as he asked whether BP would pay for damages.

Mike McGee, another resident with property near Long Run Creek, told trustees he represents several property owners with BP easements and warned that clear-cutting north of 139th Street could cause erosion and flooding downstream. “We fear that we’re not being represented correctly in this because…any clear cutting of those BP easements will cause erosion and flooding of Long Run Creek,” McGee said, asking whether those responsible would pay for future damages.

Trustees said they have been meeting directly with BP. Trustee Stylin reported that BP has signed agreements with several property owners to clear trees on their property and that the village has asked BP to submit a site development plan for permit review. Stylin said village staff have requested that arborist Jen Vitori and trustees walk the pipeline with BP representatives to identify specific trees under consideration. “What we did ask of them is to submit a site development plan, for a permit. So once they submit that plan, then we will review it,” Stylin said.

Village officials repeatedly emphasized the limits of municipal authority when private property contracts exist. The presiding official noted some residents have private contracts with BP and that the village will not intervene between a resident and BP where a property owner has agreed to tree removal. At the same time, trustees described ongoing steps to protect trees where possible, including discussions of adding habitat or replacement plantings in areas where trees may be removed.

The village attorney and staff also addressed wider legal concerns raised by residents about county roadway projects and eminent domain; the village attorney said the board is unified against the Will County 143rd Street expansion project and will pursue legal steps to defend village property if necessary. The board said it would place the BP subcommittee appointment on the next agenda to formalize reviews of BP’s proposed work and that staff will perform on-site walks with BP and the village arborist before permitting decisions.

Next steps: trustees requested that BP submit a site development plan for review, scheduled tree walks with staff and the arborist to identify high-priority specimens, and placed a subcommittee appointment on a future board agenda for formal review and oversight.