Touhy Residents Fight Back

(Article added Oct. 15th, 2003)

Homeowners in Touhy Mobile Home Community, unincorporated Elk Grove Township, discovered that Plote Construction, Inc., was applying for relaxed variance and set back codes so they could build an asphalt processing plant within 150-feet of the community. The project included 90-foot silos and conveyor and would operate around the clock.

Approximately 100 residents attended a City Council meeting in Des Plaines to ask the City Council to send this issue back to the Zoning Board. Touhy residents are adjacent to the City of Des Plaines. At the Zoning Board of Appeals, 150 homeowners, a representative for the landlord and MHOAI President Terry Nelson testified to concerns over the height of the silo, health issues, noise and other environmental issues regarding the proposed asphalt plant. Homeowners also learned Plote Construction had ongoing legal issues with the City of Hillside and the State's Attorney.

The zoning Board did not grant the variance to the company and the issue now goes to the Des Plaines City Council. MHOAI and the landlord will continue to keep residents informed when this issue is placed on the Des Plaines City Council agenda.