Glenbard West High School Introduces Environmental Hazards to Lake Ellyn Neighborhood
This fall, District 87 will begin demolition of the west hill at Glenbard West, years after it demolished the east hill.
A rendering of the proposed addition. Notice the loss of trees and the large vertical windows.
This is the existing hill. Photo is taken from the virtually the same perspective as the rendering above.
An addition larger than the Science Wing built on the east hill will replace dozens of trees, including many red oaks that comprise Babcock Grove. Dozens of oaks from the Grove were lost during demolition of the east hill. 3 oaks that were saved have died because of damage to roots suffered during construction. The Village of Glen Ellyn, a Tree City, does not have a tree preservation ordinance that may have prevented the approval of the removal of the historical, treasured hills at West.
As does the Science Wing, the addition will introduce large windows on the east, south and west sides of the addition, including the staircase planned for the southwest corner. Large windows will also be installed for a multi-story atrium that will be constructed on the south side at West. These large windows introduce more light pollution to the neighborhood, including environmentally sensitive Lake Ellyn.
As of now, 87 has not stated that the planned exterior lights will be dark sky friendly and has not stated how it will control interior lights. 87 has not stated whether interior lights will be turned off during the evening or whether the lights will be controlled by dimmers and/or motion sensors. Although the Glen Ellyn Park District has resolved to install Dark Sky International approved dark sky lighting at its facilities, including the recently completed Frank Johnson Center and the soon to be constructed downtown park, Glen Ellyn has yet to update its ordinances regarding lighting. The current ordinances date from 1986, before the introduction of bright white LED lights that introduce day-time wavelengths to our nocturnal environment.
The addition to the increased light pollution, the installation of more large windows increases the risks of bird fatalities and injuries. As many as a billion birds die every year in North America because of striking windows. 87 has yet to state whether the planned new windows will be bird friendly or if the installed windows will be covered with a bird friendly film similar to what was installed recently at McCormick Place in Chicago. Lake Ellyn is a destination for not just its full-time resident birds but also birds that migrate through Glen Ellyn during the spring and fall. Statistics suggest that Chicagoland is the #1 most hazardous location in North America for migrating birds. Interior lighting attracts birds to attempt to enter lighted buildings, including atriums.
District 87 can improve its planned new additions to address light pollution and bird strikes. And it should seriously reconsider the environmental ramifications of removing historic trees, which can never be undone. Education can be more than larger classrooms, hallways and lounges. Education can include leading by example. The health of our environment depends on it.
Take action: Contact District 87 School Board or Contact the Village of Glen Ellyn
A rendering of the proposed addition as viewed from the west. Notice the absence of trees and the very large vertical windows.
A photo of the view from the west, taken from virtually the same perspective as the rendering above. Notice the beautiful natural hill with trees that were seedlings when Abraham Lincoln was president.
A view of the existing hill as seen from north. The rock garden and trees will be gone if the addition proceeds as planned.
Example of a bird casualty from a strike with non-dark-sky friendly windows.
Example of the bird friendly film installed at Chicago’s McCormick Place to mitigate bird strikes.