A third email to the county board from the Fleming Road Alliance:

To:  Ken Koehler, Chair, McHenry County Board; County Board Members

From: Fleming Road Alliance

Re: Update on Fleming Road Alliance Position on Improvements for Fleming Road

Tonight’s topic is the “clear zone”.

Here's the widening poster from the original Fleming Road improvement hearing.

Clear Zone: TranSystems initially designed for a 14’ “clear zone” along each side of the road. They later reduced the clear zone requirement to 7’.

Old red and white oaks would be chopped down if Fleming Road is widened.

A total of 282 fixed objects have been identified in the clear zone. Most of the fixed objects in the clear zone are older trees that have been around since the Civil War and before. The construction itself will kill many more trees simply because of the root disturbance.

Fleming Road has one of the last Oak Hickory Forest areas in the County. Knowing the true extent of potential tree loss will inform our decision making process and the CAG recommendation.

As of this date, MCDOT has refused to allow input from experts on the impact to the trees.

The road also serves as a crossing in a wildlife corridor that will be further disrupted.

The yard sign says, "Daffodils NOT Asphalt."

In addition, twenty-five years of Daffodil tradition will be almost completely wiped out by grading.

International studies on Health, Wealth and Welfare clearly indicate the benefits of tree-lined roadways.  Sticking to the footprint does the least amount of damage.

We ask that MCDOT seek a variance or waiver of the clear zone.

Fleming Road Alliance Organizing Committee

Ed Bennett, Mary Moltman. Lisa Rhoades, Marti Jadd, Linda Ramsey, Stanley Jarosz, Phyllis Keinz, Kevin Keesee, Emily Berendt, Deb Staley, Bjorn Mattsson