Bleacher Battle

As a resident of Crystal Lake, and a homeowner who is directly affected by any decisions made, I would like to voice my opposition to any of the proposed modifications to the existing bleachers. My feeling is that they should be torn down and home bleachers be rebuilt on the east side of the field. My comments regarding the General standards for all special uses are -  

 

Comments regarding the General Standards for all special uses

1.  Location involved

a.  The facts in this case do not support this standard. They are –

                                         i.    Bleachers are located on the wrong side of the field in relation to restrooms, concessions, entrance and exit

                                       ii.    Fans are forced to walk a long distance to their seats, then, walk some more if they want refreshments or restroom services.

                                     iii.    The argument that the bleachers were erected on the west side to eliminate the fans having to watch the game with the sun in their eyes does not stand up either.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Statistics taken at Chicago. Source:timeanddate.com

** Angle at Sunset refers to the location of the sun at sunset. Directly west is 270 (degrees). Any number less than 270 means that the sun is setting in a more southerly direction and away from the view of the field.

Since the varsity games begin at 7:30, the argument is nonexistent.

 

2.  Not detrimental to value of other properties

a.  This standard is the one which directly affects the homeowners to the greatest extent. The homes located behind the bleachers are most directly affected. Take, for example, a prospective home buyer pulling into the driveway of any of these homes. The first thing they notice are the bleachers looming up behind the houses. The next thing they do is to tell the realtor, “Let’s see something else”. The simple fact is that whether or not there is any activity on the field or not, the prospective homeowner does not want to take a chance on the property – at any price! The negative aspects of the bleachers remain with the neighborhood 365 days of the year, not only on game nights. These homes have lost virtually all of their value.

3.  Comply with zoning regulations

a.  Nothing has been proposed by the school district that would bring the bleachers into compliance with zoning ordinances. The suggestions made so far are nothing more than band aids to a person dying of a heart attack.

b.   The school district has also not been forthcoming about future plans for the bleacher area. Are more concession stands and restrooms and training buildings in our future?

4.  Adequately address on-site traffic circulation

a.  Nothing has been done regarding the existent traffic problems. There is only one entrance and exit. There is no expanded parking area for the approximately 4,000 fans that will be attending these games. In these days of terrorist attacks and rogue gunmen who would kill as many people and themselves, this is a tragedy waiting to happen.

5.  N/A

6.  Will not impact negatively on the environment by creating noise, water pollution etc.

a.  While it will take years to define the environmental impact of the bleachers, I can make only one non-scientific observation. That is that it seems that my sump pump has been running more than it has in the past.

7.  Maintain vegetation to provide screening

a.  The proposals made to date by the board do not come close to providing the cover necessary to eliminate the blight to our neighborhood.

8.  N/A

9.  N/A

10.   N/A

 Comments regarding the Variation Standards

1.  Difficulty to enforce due to unique circumstances

a.  There is ample room on the property to erect the bleachers in such a way as to enhance their value to the community rather than detract from it.

2.  Will not alter the essential character of the locality

a.  Let’s not minimize the problem by saying that there are only four or five games during the season. The homeowners are faced with the sight of the bleachers every day of the year.

b.  Keep in mind that the way the bleachers look now is the best they will ever look. The school districts record of maintenance over the years shows up in the pictures of the old bleachers. The old bleachers were in a state of disrepair that demanded some serious action be taken. Landscaping was virtually nonexistent and growing wild.

c.   The future deterioration of the new bleachers is a foregone conclusion. If we think that the bleachers are unsightly now, wait five years.

 

 

Paul J Schwake

Crystal Lake, Il.

 

 

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Mid June to end of June - kids jogging up and down bleachers, playing loud music from trailer in early am and evening too  Jog if you must but there's no reason it can't be done on the other bleachers so it doesn't constantly disturb all homeowners. After all, that is where they jogged before this monstrosity was built.

 

July 1, - trailer and school got vandalized and graffiti

 

July 11, - kids trying to get into trailer by kicking doors, daughter yelled at them and they left

 

July 15, - gate left open all night again ...

 

July 19th - gates left open all day and night again ... grown men from tennis court walking around track and field

 

July 20th - 8 am kids (boys) jogging bleachers and yelling to my kids and puppy from top

 

August 7th - (7 pm) 2 guys on trailer, open rooftop door, theft and vandalized, I called police and they were caught.

 

August 12th - (5 pm) young boys trying to climb fence on school side, noted when walking Abby, they saw me watching and left

 

Aug 28th - (6 pm to end of games) So much for Thomas' promise that nobody uses the top 3 rows. Security guard lady is spending her time sitting on her butt chatting with friends. Letting people go anywhere. Only says something to them when she decides to stretch her legs for a few minutes and then its back down to sitting. We were told it was sectioned/roped off so there should be no way anyone could even get up there.

 

Sept 9th - (early evening) 2 young girls try to get into trailer, doors locked they leave.

 

Sept. 9th - (early evening) a girl around 11/12 yelling at my kids in yard and hanging over the fencing at top. My kids yell back that she can't do that and she leaves.

 

Sept 11th - (6 pm) 3 teen boys up by trailer trying to get in. Tried to open all 3 doors. Looking in side windows.

 

Sept 12th -  At 9 am they start the loud music for game that doesn't start for another hour. Is that really necessary? No security on top for 1st game even after Thomas promising it was there at every game/event. Varsity game has security but again they are sitting on their behinds and not doing their job. Kids messing around on top.

 

Sept. 19th - People bringing 2 large dogs into a game and on top of the bleachers. Girls doing gymnastics/cartwheels and flips on top of bleachers. An accicident just waiting to happen here. Boys riding scooters up and down the handicap ramps and under bleachers banging sticks and throwing stones at the steel. Teens flipping us off as we are in our backyard. Again, grown men watching our homes and our girls as they are in the yard. Again no security or parental supervision. Have not stopped saying that there needs to be security at ALL EVENTS when these massive bleachers are in use.

 

 

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Approximately $37,000. spent so far by the district for the Wagoneer law firm to represent them in front of city and zoning board. Probably not covered by ins. Add that to the supposed $70,000. they are paying for the Hodges Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick & Kohn law firm and then add the $310,000 plus that their ins. (which we taxpayers still pay for) is covering. It brings the district to around $408,000. plus spent in defending this structure. With more to come I'm sure. In my opinion, we can also blame the district for the money spent by the city in defending themselves against the lawsuit brought on by the district. The city is standing up for their rights and ours. The district is still claiming they can do whatever they like. They have actually stated in court that they can put 20 head of cattle at their schools or build a NASCAR track or casinos. All without a city's approval or taxpayers or parents or neighboring homes approvals. As long as they said it was "for the kids" (using Wagner's catch phrase) it's okay.