Belmont Bible Church redevelopment plans get blessing from Downers Grove council

Downers Grove officials are moving forward with allowing Belmont Bible Church to proceed with its redevelopment plans.

The Downers Grove Village Council’s decision at Tuesday’s meeting helps the church, located at 5430 Belmont Road, to begin constructing a new church and school.

The petitioner, Mark Moore, intends to build a two-story, 32,573-square-foot building at the southwest corner of Belmont Road and Inverness Avenue.

The project will consist of a 22,574 square-foot first floor with religious assembly space, administrative offices and preschool classrooms. The second story will feature space for elementary and high school classrooms, additional preschool classrooms and more offices.

Officials believe the project conforms with the village’s comprehensive plan and the local zoning ordinance.

In a series of votes, the council authorized the church’s request for annexation, property rezoning and a special-use permit.

Mayor Bob Barnett said the village is excited to see the project is moving forward.

“We wish certainly the best of luck to the owners,” Barnett said.

The project was the focus of a Nov. 30 town hall meeting held by the church. Among the concerns raised about the church’s plans dealt with the status of a honey locus tree located in the Inverness Avenue right of way.

Officials have described the condition of the tree as poor. Some also expressed concerns for potential storm water management issues to neighboring properties should it be removed.

The petitioner provided the village with some scenarios detailing how the church intends to proceed with site and right-of-way improvements. Both include plans to remove the honey locust tree.

In addition to reconstructing the sidewalk and reducing the number of curb cuts, the petitioner would like to plant new trees in the parkway.