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Homewood trustees consider taking a stance on proposed Glenwood power plant

It is rare for Homewood village officials to take a position on issues facing another local government body, but the board of trustees will have an opportunity this week to make an exception in the case of a proposed power plant in Glenwood. At the board’s regular meeting Tuesday, trustees will consider a resolution that states the village does not support the plant and encourages Glenwood village government to reconsider approval of it.

It is rare for Homewood village officials to take a position on issues facing another local government body, but the board of trustees will have an opportunity this week to make an exception in the case of a proposed power plant in Glenwood.

At the board’s regular meeting Tuesday, trustees will consider a resolution that states the village does not support the plant and encourages Glenwood village government to reconsider approval of it.

At the board’s previous meeting March 12 two Glenwood residents and a Homewood resident who oppose the plant asked Homewood officials to take a position on the issue. 

Village Attorney Chris Cummings noted that Homewood doesn’t have any authority over Glenwood zoning issues. Trustee Jay Heiferman said that regardless of the board’s official stance, he personally opposes the plant.

Homewood Mayor Richard Hofeld has heard from a number of Homewood residents during his weekly Saturday office hours at village hall. He declined to take a position on the issue early on, citing lack of familiarity with the proposal. He invited residents to provide more information.

After receiving details about the project, he said he decided to present the resolution to the board.

The natural-gas-powered plant, which would be built and operated by Oak Meadow Energy LLC of Boston, would generate 1,250 megawatts of electricity on 75 acres of land on the southeast corner of Glenwood near the intersection of Joe Orr Road and Cottage Grove Avenue.

A number of Homewood and Flossmoor residents appeared before the Glenwood Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 26 to oppose Oak Meadows’ zoning and special use permit application. Most area residents at the meeting cited environmental concerns as the source of their opposition.

Oak Meadow officials said the plant would need to meet stringent state environmental requirements before it could go into operation.

The agenda also calls for Finance Director Dennis Bubenik’s annual budget presentation. Bubenik is expected to highlight key features of the village’s two-year budget plan and specific proposals for the 2019-2020 budget.

In other business, the board will consider:

  • A resolution endorsing the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Greenest Region Compact
  • The reappointment of Trustee Barbara Dawkins as board president pro tempore
  • A resolution appropriating Motor Fuel Tax funds for patching of portions of 183rd Street
  • Award the bids for street sweeping, crushed limestone, asphalt and pavement marking
  • Authoring a budget amendment and purchase of a vehicle for the police department
 
The board will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in village hall, 2020 Chestnut Road.

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