Hazel Crest Mayoral Candidate Opposes Calumet Country Club Change

HOMEWOOD, IL — Hazel Crest Mayoral candidate Marcia Hollis-Bratcher plans to speak at the Homewood Planning and Zoning Commission meeting Thursday night, in opposition to the rezoning of the former Calumet Country Club, according to a news release from the South Suburbs for Greenspace over Concrete (SSGOC).

The SSGOC is a multi-racial group of concerned residents of Homewood, Hazel Crest, East Hazel Crest, Flossmoor, Chicago Heights, South Holland and Glenwood. The group was formed out of opposition to W & E. Ventures, LLC (Diversified Partners) planned development of Calumet Country Club, located at 2136 175th St, in Homewood. The LLC is looking to create a fulfillment/trucking hub, and the group, under an Illinois Southland Against Fossil Fuel Energy(SAFE) campaign, is determined to stop it.

This April Hollis-Bratcher is running against incumbent Mayor Vernard Alsberry, Jr. The candidate is a native of Hazel Crest and raised her family there. She is standing with SSGOC against the redevelopment of the country club saying the "site is not only situated amongst several residential neighborhoods, but also less than 2 miles from over a dozen schools and day care centers."

The candidate's campaign focuses on making Hazel Crest “clean, safe and sanitary,” and the rezoning of the country club is not part of her vision for the community, according to the release.

"This location, which serves as an entry point for both Hazel Crest and Homewood, would be better purposed by retaining its lush greenery, and welcoming people to our communities, rather than greeting newcomers with a polluting, concrete truck hub,” Hollis-Bratcher wrote in a Facebook post.

The release states that Chicago litigator and Homewood resident James Tunick will also be giving a public comment on the application to rezone the site. Tunick said he views the development as “a pattern and a practice of environmental discrimination” in the South Suburbs. He says that this issue should not be viewed narrowly “through a microscope; this is a greater issue” than just disconnection, the release states.

"The village needs to rethink its legal strategy," Tunick said, adding that he "disagrees with the legal philosophy and legal approach."

Additionally, environmental experts, concerned residents and property owners also plan to speak to the Commission in opposition to the change in village zoning, according to the release.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Village Hall, located at 2020 Chestnut Road.

Related:

Suburban Group Organizes Demonstration To Stop Industrial Park | Homewood, IL Patch

Homewood Group To Stop Calumet Country Club Redevelopment | Homewood, IL Patch