Our beautiful trees make us
what we are!! Without them “Denburn
Woods” would be an empty name and property values would fall. On a hot day it is a few degrees cooler in
the Woods, thanks to our trees, and in the fall the coloring is truly beauty
personified. When one gazes up at the
majesty of our towering oaks, maples, and other hardwoods, it is easy to assume
that they have been here forever and will continue to be here forever. But, such is not the case. They are far more delicate than usually
imagined – just like all living things.
For example, placing fill
around the trunks of trees can kill them in a short period of time (the bark
rots and the flow of sap – the life blood of a tree which flows just beneath
the bark – is stopped). Filling around a
tree, even at some distance from the trunk, can also be very hard on a
tree. The feeding cycle includes the
drippings from the leaves reaching the roots, and when the grade is raised it
is less likely that the necessary nutrients will reach the roots that grew
sensing the original level of the ground above. Paving also permanently interrupts this
feeding cycle. Even fertilizer that is
chemically formulated for grass can be like a poison to a tree!
Thus, it is truly important
that natural areas be maintained throughout the Woods (and if possible be
augmented by reforestation of unused areas of our yards). Please remember:
That it is easier, and thus cheaper, for contractors to
bull-doze out the saplings to provide multiple routes of access onto a property
for convenience in construction. It is
also easier for a contractor not to be concerned about placing any
excavated earth around the trunks and trees and saplings, and it is easier not
to be concerned about changing the level of grade over the root area of large
trees (which usually is something like a mirror image of the branch area
above). It’s even easier not to be
concerned as to how and where workmen’s cars are parked.
Contractors will usually try
to abide by the directions given by those who engage them. So in the last
analysis, it is the property owner who must carry the responsibility to give
the necessary directions – as to whether or not the trees and saplings are to
be protected, and whether construction operations are to be conducted with
minimum disturbance to the environment and adjoining properties. (Sometimes when a new home or an addition is
to be built the situation is such that the necessary directions can be given
orally. However, if the situation
obviously involves some critical conditions, a topographical survey – showing
all of the existing grades and the locations of the major trees – should be
prepared by a licensed surveyor, and then the new grades, temporary parking
areas, etc., worked out by an architect or a landscape architect.)
Finally, though involving
lots of time and patience and some cost, the reforestation of the areas
unavoidably disturbed by construction operations, or the reforestation of an
unused portion of a yard, is possible.
For immediate results, specimen trees of reasonable size (with their
proportionate cost) must be planted.
However, bare root seedlings can be obtained for a very low cost. Foresters report that within 10 years they
will be the same size as larger stock transplanted at the same time. More detailed information can be obtained
from the Reforestation Committee of the Association.
ENJOYING OUR PRINCIPAL ASSET
Since just about everyone has
moved into Denburn Woods because of the natural beauty of our trees and
undergrowth, just about everyone has their favorite views from their home, or
outdoor areas and many have developed gardens or other nooks where they can
feel a million miles away from the troubles of the world. Good architectural planning of any new
construction not only encompasses how the needs and desires of the client can
be satisfied in a structure of pleasing architectural proportions, but it also
includes how that structure can be planned to fit into the environment with a
minimum of impact on its surroundings.
Good architectural planning
takes into consideration all of the assets of a piece of land – the trees, the
special views, where the sun will set, all of its special features. Likewise, such planning takes the adjacent
properties into account – giving consideration to which are their principal
views, and where their private outdoor areas are located, in order that their
enjoyment of living in the Woods might hopefully not be unreasonably
diminished by the new construction.
Usually a good architectural
solution can be found that benefits all, if the necessary effort is
applied. Since the degree of
architectural design work that is applied to any project is normally a
reflection of the owner’s desires, the Board of Directors urges everyone who is
contemplating building anew, expanding or remodeling to arrange for adequate
design to be applied.
ZONING AND OTHER REGULATIONS
There are of course certain
ordinances that have been adopted by the Village of Downers Grove that are intended
to augment the preservation of the quality of life and apply to all properties
and residents of the Woods. Certain of
those commonly affect our everyday life and highlights pertaining to them are:
Zoning Classification
All of Denburn Woods is zoned
R-2 Single Family Residential District, which establishes minimum lot size of
15,000 square feet and establishes certain restrictions on the placement, size,
height, etc. of structures.
Garden Storage Sheds
The construction of garden
storage sheds and similar minor structures is governed by the Village Zoning
Ordinance (Article V, Section 7-7.7) which limits, among other things, the size
of such structures to 100 square feet in area, a maximum of 12 feet in length
and 10 feet in height, along with the requirement that they must be located a
minimum of 2-1/2 feet from adjacent property lines. Though not mentioned in the Ordinance, the
Board of Directors hopes that all property owners contemplating the erection of
such a shed will consider it advantageous for such structures to blend in
appearance with the design of their home.
Fences
The construction of fences
and garden walls are likewise governed by Village Zoning Ordinance (Article V,
Section 13) which requires that construction permits be applied for, and limits
their heights, and in certain locations requires that they be so constructed as
not to unduly restrict the passage of air, i.e. – be of open design. Again it is the hope of the Board that all
property owners planning the erection of a fence will consider it advantageous
for the fence materials to be selected to blend in with the natural character
of our environment, and that any utilitarian type of fencing be concealed by
plantings such as shrubs and vines.
Contractors’ Construction
Signs
The size and placement of
such signs are also governed by the Village Zoning Ordinance (Article IX,
Section 3-3.2-1) which generally permits only one sign per construction
site and limits them to 36 square feet in surface area, (such as 4 feet x 9 feet)
and 10 feet in height. Such signs shall
not be erected until a building permit is issued by the Village and shall be
removed at the time of occupancy, i.e., when an occupancy permit issued by the
Village. The Board of Directors requests
that all property owners report any violations noticed, to the Board.
Parking Boats, Trailers
& Recreational Vehicles
This too is governed by the
Zoning Ordinance (Article Viii, Section 2-2.4) which prohibits parking of
boats, trailers and recreational vehicles in front yards, except for a short
time if prior notice has been given to the Zoning Department. Over the years many Denburn homeowners have
owned boats, etc., and therefore the Board of Directors kindly requests any homeowner
wishing to store a boat, etc., on their property to do so in a manner whereby
it is effectively screened from view – from all adjacent property as well as
from the street.
Home Occupations
Again, this is a topic governed
by the Zoning Ordinance (Article X, Section 3-3.1-1, which refers to Section
2-2.1-1) and since from time to time several home owners have conducted
professional occupations within their homes, the highlights are listed below:
-
The portion of
the home used for the occupation must not be more than ¼ of the total floor area
of the home, or 400 square feet, whichever is less.
-
The occupation
must be conducted entirely within the home – not from a garage, etc.
-
Not more than one
person (other than members of the immediate family residing in the home) may be
employed on the premises.
-
The occupation
must not results in the simultaneous presence on the property, or on the
adjacent street of more than 3 motor vehicles in excess of the family car(s).
-
In the event that
more than one occupation is conducted within a home the stipulations of the
Ordinance apply to the sum total of the activity.
Control of Dogs
You guessed it! The Village has an Ordinance regarding the
control of dogs, too (Chapter V, Article III, Section 5-12 of the D.G.
Municipal Code). It states that when off
the owners’ property all dogs must be restrained by leash. Within the context that just about everybody
in the Woods is a dog lover, the Board kindly requests that all dogs owners
carefully control their pets, so that small children or others are not frightened,
and that their waste is not left on the maintained areas of neighbor’s property.
Control of Weeds
As we all know, there are
some plants that are not entirely friendly, so the Village also has an
Ordinance regarding noxious weeks, such as common and giant ragweed (Chapter
13, Article III, Section 13-15 of the Municipal Code). It requires homeowners to control such plans,
by cutting or destroying them. (Ragweed
pollen can cause considerable suffering to those that are allergic to it, and
when touched, poison ivy often causes a most irritating rash).
Therefore the Board requests
that all property owners be alert in the presence of ragweed and poison ivy on
the property, and destroy any plants noticed.
Ragweed can be easily pulled up.
Poison ivy is harder to cope with, since it’s best not to touch it! Liquid herbicides, such as Ortho’s Brush Be
Gone, are stocked locally and have proven to be most effective.