Oak Street Residents Raise Concerns Over School Traffic and Potential Flooding

Chronic school pickup traffic and potential flooding from a proposed school athletic complex have prompted Peotone residents to seek help from the Village Board.

During Monday’s meeting, Oak Street resident Jenny Devalt described the daily traffic situation during school pickup as a “cluster” and a “mess.” She said cars waiting for students at the elementary school line up along both sides of Oak Street and spill out onto Ratchy Road, blocking through-traffic and sometimes partially blocking residents’ driveways.

“I’m bringing this up now in hope that come August, a better plan is in place for the pickup,” Devalt said, noting she had previously addressed the Peotone school board about the issue without a response.

Devalt also expressed serious concerns about the school district’s proposal to build an athletic field in an open area north of the high school. She stated the site is in a Zone A flood plain with a history of flooding and contains wetland soil. “Given the unique circumstances and flooding history, this site is not advisable for development,” she argued, asking the village to ensure proper engineering oversight.

Dan Columbus, an engineer with the village’s consulting firm, Robinson Engineering, responded to Devalt’s flooding concerns. He assured her the project would be subject to state and federal oversight.

“I do know that that project has to have an IDNR permit and has to have a FEMA permit,” Columbus said. “Our office does the reviews for the village and they will make sure that whatever permits that project needs, that project will get… we will make sure that this doesn’t make anything worse.”