Judge: Glen Ellyn must limit criticism of COD
A DuPage judge said Wednesday that Glen Ellyn officials can attend and speak during county hearings about the College of DuPage's campus expansion plans — but they can't bring up some specific issues that brought the two parties into court in the first place.
COD attorneys argued village officials are not complying with the spirit of a mediated agreement approved by the parties earlier this year that transferred regulatory control of the 273-acre campus from the village to the county.
The agreement was set up to resolve a lengthy legal dispute over the degree to which the village had oversight responsibilities of the college's bustling building program.
But during county zoning board of appeals meetings this month, the village's director of planning and development, Staci Hulseberg, joined hundreds of residents to contest parts of the college's planned development application, arguing the proposed expansion plans could lead to increased traffic and possible flooding, among other concerns.
COD officials called the village's opposition “overzealous” and an attempt to interfere in county proceedings.
Following a 70-minute closed-door meeting with lawyers from both sides on Wednesday, Judge Hollis Webster, who worked with the parties during mediation sessions earlier this year, said in court that both sides have agreed to work together.
“Both attorneys clearly understand the ground rules for making this a mediated settlement for both sides,” Webster said.
Afterward, the attorneys said outside court that Glen Ellyn officials still can attend meetings to provide information and opinion on COD's expansion plans, but they can't make past violations of village ordinances germane to the discussion.
COD President Robert Breuder said the past bad blood between the two sides could “jaundice” the county's view.
“We executed a divorce. We thought once it was finalized, the village of Glen Ellyn would step back and not come forward in an aggressive manner. It sounds like today that's going to stop,” Breuder said. “If the village implies all these violations are unresolved, it would color the judgment of the county.”
Village Attorney Stewart Diamond said village officials still will attend county meetings, but officials “will be respectful of the fact that county bodies will have the final decision.”
The county zoning board of appeals is expected to make a formal recommendation on the college's expansion proposal next Thursday, before the plan is considered by the county's development committee and the full county board.