Eight Residents vs. One Developer: Why More Voices Are Needed at Village Board Meetings

Residents who spoke were told to keep their comments under 3 minutes, to “deliver them with respect,” and reminded that “things can get tense, and that doesn’t help us do the work.” Apparently, having about 8 residents attend was considered unusual.

But then something remarkable happened: the developer seeking the lot, Brian Spoerl, was invited to sit with the board and answer residents’ questions. The screenshot shows him moving from the audience to the board’s table without any hesitation. To me, this moment is revealing - - it signaled that the board viewed him not as an outside party, but almost like a peer.

This gesture of hospitality helps explain why the deal feels so lopsided. The property is being sold far below value, and structured to deliver Spoerl Development a 9.5% return. And as I have said before, the actual below-market rent savings don't justify the public investment.

It seems we may soon have another chance to fill the Village Board meeting room with residents—and I hope next time, there are more than eight of us.