A Wilmette family celebrated a partial victory when the Wilmette Village Board presented a proposal for a multi-sport structure Tuesday night.
However, the family’s original plan included a large turf field, which was removed from the proposal before trustees approved on July 26.
“I understand the outdoor recreation oasis you want to create for your family,” Village President Senta Plunkett said of the applicant. “I think each of these elements as individuals is cool; When I look at everything together, I think, wow, that’s not much natural space left in the garden.”
Emily and Adam Paris own adjacent lots on the 1500 block of Central Avenue. One lot contains their home while the other is open land. The Parisians submitted an application in April to develop a 27-by-57-foot athletic field that stretches between the two lots at the back of the lots and a turf field that covers most of the open space, as well as a fence annex.
Emily Paris told trustees the purpose of the project is to encourage her children to play more outdoors while building facilities that are friendly to neighbors and the environment.
Paris said her family spoke to neighbors about her plan, several of whom wrote letters to village officials in support of it.
The project’s landscape architect, Gina Giannetti, also displayed a piece of the sports field’s modern surface, which is said to drain like a natural surface.
The proposal sought deviations from Village Code points regarding impervious surfaces, yard setbacks, and fence regulations.
The zoning appellate body reviewed the application on June 1 and voted unanimously to recommend the Village Board negatively. According to village documents, zoning officials found that the property owner did not meet the “hardship standard” that requires the waiver requests.
The board expressed similar concerns and also questioned the removal of so much natural space.
Trustee Kathy Dodd questioned the appropriateness of such a project, an opinion shared by Peter Barrow.
“Obviously we want kids to play outside, but I don’t want mini sports facilities added in any of our neighborhoods,” she said. “For me, this is a mini sports facility.”
Several trustees echoed Plunkett’s thoughts about the project removing too much natural land. Residents are allowed to install artificial grass in their backyards and sideyards under reasonable conditions; However, Plunkett and co. felt that the property, along with a playing field and rear deck, would have too many unnatural surfaces.
Emily Paris told the board she was comfortable removing the artificial turf component of the project, and the board agreed before the vote 6-1 – with Dodd at odds – to approve the sports field and fencing.
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