[BCNnet] FPDCC BD MTG REPORT: Amazing new support of FPDCC Land Policy thanks to Superintendent Bylina

[Benjamin Cox]

Amazing new support of FPDCC Land Policy thanks to Superintendent Bylina

 

Today, General Superintendent Steve Bylina took a significant step toward
fully implementing the Forest Preserve District of Cook County's Land Policy
and Ordinance adopted by the Board of Commissioners in late 2004. At the
July Board meeting, Commissioners voted to approve the use of two new forms
recommended by the Forest Preserve District administration that will help to
screen requests more strictly in accordance with the policy, which has not
been fully done to date. 

 

The existing Land Use Policy and Ordinance "dictates that only those
proposals deemed by the General Superintendent to be in accordance with the
mission of the Forest Preserve District shall be referred to the Board of
Commissioners. Since the mission of the District is environmentally
specific, the overwhelming majority of unsolicited requests for use or
acquisition of an interest in District property are not likely to meet this
narrow criterion and, in accordance with the current policy, are not likely
to be referred to the Members of the Board of Commissioners."

 

Staff will provide the Board with a list of rejected projects on a quarterly
basis. In compliance with the existing policy and ordinance, Commissioners
are not prevented "from sponsoring or recommending for approval a land use
proposal that has not been referred to the Board of Commissioners by the
General Superintendent." 

 

Also at today's meeting, District Public Information Officer Steve Mayberry
reported to the board that 300 new volunteers have signed up as a result of
the current public relations campaign.

 

District staff got approval to enter into an intergovernmental agreement
with many municipalities for Phase I engineering of the east section of the
Cal Sag Trail. This segment would be a 16-mile stretch between the Burnham
Greenway in eastern Chicago and the Centennial Trail in Palos. 

 

Staff gained approval to pursue two new grants today. The first is for
funding from the US Fish and Wildlife Service for approximately 10 acres of
habitat enhancement that would benefit the State Endangered Massasauga
Rattlesnake. The second is for funding from the Illinois Clean Energy
Community Foundation to cover approximately one third of the cost for the
$803,748 Little Red School House geo-thermal heating and cooling system. The
grant would also assist the District in gaining Silver LEED status for the
building.

 

 

Benjamin Cox

Executive Director 

Friends of the Forest Preserves

 

28 E. Jackson Blvd., Ste 1102

Chicago, IL 60604-2330

o. 312-356-9990

f. 312-356-9991

 

Join Friends today at www.fotfp.org!

 

 

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