Title/Name/Summary
Norman's Cleaners - Environmental Remediation
History
As the Village Board of Trustees is aware, Norman's Cleaners operated at the former Orland Park Plaza shopping center for many years. During these years of operation, the property was exposed to various dry cleaner solvents (some of which are no longer allowed to be used by the dry cleaning industry). The Village has been working with Norman's (Richard Villaume - owner) on an environmental remediation plan for the site. The Village has also retained Edward Cooney as our environmental consultant, who has been working with Norman's, the State of Illinois' Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA), and the State of Illinois' Dry Cleaners Remediation Fund (DCRF).
Under the current law, Norman's is responsible for the cleanup of the contamination of the site beneath the former dry cleaning site, but the law does not have the urgency of time. The owner has petitioned the State's (DCRF); however, the actual funding of the remediation project may not be for years. Additionally, the Village would not control the clean-up project and would result in the Village having to constantly monitor the work to ensure that it is at the standard that we desire. This would likely be a multi-year process and would include additional Village costs. The Village has been informed by Mr. Villaume that he has limited funds availabe to complete the remediation without some assistance from the Village. Though the Village could legally pursue Norman's to clean up the site, this would likely result in lengthy multi-year litigation and legal expenses that could be used to redevelop the site.
Finally, time is of the essence. Jefferson Street runs a few inches from the limits of the dry cleaner. And the cleanup, if completed expeditiously, clears the way for the University of Chicago project and the related public infrastructure work that needs to be done. Given this background information, staff is recommending approval o...
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