Homer Glen residents press board to oppose proposed Badger rezoning; village schedules special meeting

Joyce Hale, a resident of the Cedar Glen subdivision, told the Homer Glen Village Board that a proposal to rezone a nearby parcel to C4 for a hydro-excavation company called Badger would be “the most aggressive zoning classification in the County” and would harm neighboring wells, increase heavy-truck traffic and change the character of the community. “Badger needs to find a location within an industrial area,” Hale said. “Their trucks hold approximately 1,300 gallons of water each, and they are refilled daily. We have heard estimates ranging anywhere from 30 to up to 80 trucks. Even at the low end, 30 trucks is 30 trucks too many.”

Hale urged the village to stand with residents and formally oppose the rezoning before the county, saying the company has used “vague and noncommittal language” about future operations and noting concerns about light and noise pollution as well as nightly fueling operations.

The village attorney announced the board has called a special meeting for Friday at 3:30 p.m. for “the sole purpose of the consideration of a resolution to formally oppose a zoning map amendment proposed” in Will County zoning case ZC-26-020. Counsel told the board that, if the village passes a resolution of objection, it will be forwarded to the Will County board; the attorney said the county would require a three-fourths majority of county commissioners to approve the proposed map amendment after receiving a municipal objection.

Mayor Christina Nitschke Troy thanked Hale for bringing the issue to the board’s attention and told trustees the village will file a legal objection at the special meeting: “Yes, we are going to file a legal objection on Friday,” the mayor said. Trustees said they would review information assembled at recent township hearings and plan to hear additional details at the special meeting.

Board members and residents raised specific concerns echoed by Hale: potential impacts on private wells if the facility uses well water, the route heavy trucks would take past schools and a fire station, overlapping operating hours with school traffic, and the possibility that a future owner could redevelop the site for a different industrial use if the rezoning is approved. Village staff said the formal objection would be transmitted to Will County and that interested parties should attend Friday’s special meeting.

Next steps: The board will meet in special session Friday to consider the resolution; if approved, the objection will be sent to Will County for consideration in case ZC-26-020.