"Be honest and communicate with one another" was the golden rule-like decree announced by village planner Craig Hullinger at the Creative Site Planning Conference held on November 6, 1998 in GSU's Engbretson Hall.

The conference was divided into two main sections of discussion: "Developers and Communities: Exploring Tensions and Solutions," organized by Hullinger and a second section steered by private planner Duane Linden entitled "Case Studies in creative Site Planning."

Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) President MarySue Barrett lauded the South Metropolitan Regional Leadership Center at Governors State University for co-sponsoring a "bold and very positive conference that deserves a lot of credit." The attendees, consisting largely of building developers and local government officials, gathered to explore what is frequently an adversarial relationship and begin, instead, to chart a strategy for "sensible growth" in the region.

Sensible growth denotes creative site planning where economic growth and environmental preservation is balanced and planned by builders and municipalities. To accomplish this, a regional vision is essential. Pushing the need for a regional vision and creative site planning is the south region's rapid growth. In fact, Will County is the fastest growing county in the state. With housing and employment steadily expanding, concerned community members, planners and civic leaders want to make sure that the south region of the future does not suffer from the symptoms of unplanned growth that have plagued suburbs like Oak Brook: horrible traffic congestion and the obliteration of open space. Planners point out that although everyone wants economic growth, people must remember that one of the south region's greatest attractions is its open space.

In his presentation of innovative site plans, planning and landscape architect Bill James defines creative site planning as "anything that produces a better way of developing of building better communities."

James outlines seven components of creative development: (1) better qualitative products, whether residential or business, which encompass the marriage between the program of construction and the site itself; (2) more cost efficiency; (3) greater land efficiency: knowing when to develop high density sites or how to use less of the land more effectively; (4) conservation of natural resources; (5) developments that take into account the character and individual identity of a particular community; (6) creative avenues for responding to development standards such as zoning and subdivision regulations; and (7) convincing municipalities that developers have met standards.

Over 80 people attended the conference, which grew out of ideas raised by Jim Paul of ALPS Development other private builders and developers.

For more information on sensible growth and creative site planning, click on the Business and Economic Development icon at the top of LincolnNet's front page (http://www.lincolnnet.net) for regional information and the link to the MPC website.

Sponsors for the event included:

Campaign for Sensible Growth
220 South State Street, Suite 1800          
Chicago, IL 60604
312-922-5616


Eastern Will County Regional Council
GSU, Room C3370                  
University Park, IL  60466
708-534-4929


Forest Preserve District of Will County
22606 S Cherry Hill Road    
PO Box 1069   
Joliet, IL 60434
815-727-8700


Governors State University
SMRLC                                        
University Park, IL 60466         
708-534-4487


Home Builders Association of Greater Chicago
635 Butterfield Road, #100      
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181
630-627-7575
	

Metropolitan Planning Council
220 South State Street, Suite 1800            
Chicago, IL 60604
312-922-5616


Natural Resources Conservation Service
1201 S. Gougar Road                        
New Lenox, IL 60451
815-462-3106


South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association
1904 West 174th Street                     
East Hazel Crest, IL 60429
708-206-1155


Southwest Suburban Home Builders Association
62 Orland Square Dr, #204 	           
Orland Park, IL 60462
708-349-4242


Will County Governmental League
302 N. Chicago Street                      
Joliet, IL 60432
815-722-7280


Will-Grundy Home Builders Association
107 North Ottowa St, #220                  
Joliet, IL 60434           
815-723-2928


Will-South Cook Soil and Water Conservation District
1201 S. Gougar Road                        
New Lenox, IL 60451
815-462-3106