Dear LTHS Community-
At a meeting on June 5, the Village of Willow Springs Board of Trustees approved an ordinance to establish a temporary moratorium through March 1, 2024 stating they will not consider proposals for any development within the North Willow Springs Road Corridor Planned Development as they study and evaluate current zoning, as well as consider potential additional regulations and restrictions, for this location.
For more than 60 years, District 204 has owned undeveloped land within this site, which is currently zoned for retail, single family housing and senior residential housing. This land was purchased by the District in anticipation of potentially needing a third campus. Due to shifting demographic and population trends, and with information received during a recent enrollment study, we have not and do not anticipate the need to build an additional campus.
At our Committee of the Whole Board of Education meeting on Monday, August 7, the Lyons Township High School District 204 Board of Education will discuss the moratorium established by the Village of Willow Springs. District 204 remains committed to balancing our obligations to being both a good neighbor and a responsible steward of public taxpayer resources. We understand that some residential neighbors and municipal partners nearby have concerns about the development of this property. At the same time, we have heard from others that we must consider the potential for this vacant and unutilized asset to support the District’s ability to maintain and enhance our schools and deliver the excellent education our community and students deserve and expect from District 204.
It is clear that District 204 communities care deeply about our schools and students. We are committed to establishing a transparent and intentional approach to our communications and decision-making on this matter, and we have reached out to the Village of Willow Springs, Pleasantdale Park District and Pleasantdale School District 107 to invite them to attend this meeting. Likewise, we invite and encourage our LT community to attend this meeting as well.
As always, thank you for your support of Lyons Township High School District 204.
Lyons Township High School District 204 Board of Education
