Proposed Limit on Landscape Waste Burning Leaves Residents Fuming

Approximately 30 people came to discuss proposed restrictions on landscape waste burning in unincorporated areas near Stevenson High School at a meeting held by the Lake County Board, May 9.

Philip Rovang, Lake County planner, explained the proposed restrictions. He also stated that the Villages of Lincolnshire, Buffalo Grove, and Vernon Hills all prohibit open burning. 

Under the proposed rules, landscape waste such as leaves, brush, small branches, and similar materials would be allowed to burn.  Burn times would be restricted to April, May, October, and November; during those months, burning would be restricted to Monday through Saturday, from 5 to 7 p.m., and on Sundays, from noon to 7 p.m.

Campfires, recreational fires, ceremonial fires, grilling, and self-contained grilling devices would be allowed year-round.  

The burning of grass and shrubbery clippings; tree trunks; garbage, junk, and debris; and landscape waste from other locations would not be allowed.

Open burnings would be allowed in April and May to accommodate yard clean-up, and in October and November to facilitate the disposal of leaves.

Burning parameters were also detailed in the proposed ordinance.  Enforcement would be complaint-driven.

The proposed restrictions will be presented to the Planning, Building and Zoning Committee of Lake County. 

“This should be approved and adopted in time for fall so the rules don't become a surprise for anyone,” Rovang said. 

“The impetus for the restrictions started at Stevenson because of the threat of smoke entering the school,” Aaron Lawlor explained.  Lawlor serves on the Lake County Board and serves District 18.  “It's not to ban burning, but to see how we can all be better neighbors.”

Stevenson junior Michelle Hannon is a proponent of the restriction on landscape waste open burning, and is asking Lake County board members to adopt the ordinance.

Rovang stated that he had received 15 comments regarding the restrictions from the public.  Comments can be submitted via email at communications@lakecountyil.gov by May 20.

“People who live in the unincorporated area of Stevenson have to balance the need to burn landscape waste with the detrimental effect it has on those at the school,” Rovang said.

Approximately 500 students have asthma; approximately 4,200 students are enrolled at the school. 

“We need to protect air quality for students.  They don’t choose to come to Stevenson.  But the people who burn leaves can choose when to burn them,” Peg Cucci, a school nurse at Stevenson, said.  She  also explained that Stevenson is “never empty,” even during the summer months.

“The smell of burning leaves is horrible that I can still smell the smoke in the morning,” Lisa Michalowski, a junior at Stevenson, said. 

“I feel that those who oppose the restrictions are more concerned about the impact of the rules on them,” Stevenson School Board member Lori Lyman stated.  “They need to look at the greater good.”

People who live in the unincorporated areas surrounding Stevenson and who are against the proposed restrictions voiced concerns over the two hours where burning would be allowed on weekdays and Saturday, stating that it can take almost an hour to extinguish a fire.  Other topics of discussion included the additional expenses associated with hiring companies to pick up landscape waste, as well as the appearance of untidy lawns due to a lack of leaf burning. 

One resident of the unincorporated area stated that he would be happy to burn his landscape waste around Stevenson’s schedule. 

“To me, this (meeting) was one-sided,” Luigi Flori said after the discussion.  “There needs to be a proposal that’s fair to both parties.  Maybe the school could use air filters.  They shouldn’t put the burden on the people."

Flori, who lives in the unincorporated area surrounding Stevenson, also discussed his need to burn leaves.  “I have nine trees on my property.  After one week, it’s like snow if they’re not raked.  You can also get mold on the leaves, so they need to be burned.”

“Fix the size of the fire, not the time of the fire,” Laura Flori, Flori’s wife, suggested.  She also explained that if the leaves sit on the property and get wet from rain, the fire will create more smoke.

Loretta Thorne stated that she has one acre of land in the unincorporated area near Stevenson and has many trees on her property.  “The yard waste doesn’t get picked up.  Do I have to pay for landscapers if this (restriction) gets passed? In this state-of-the-art school, can these students still smell the burning leaves?  What about the the bathroom smells, or cooking smells from the kitchen?  It should smell like a cesspool in there.”

“I came tonight to see what would happen.  I’m kind of concerned, as the restrictions are unrealistic and are too short,” Ed Rozalewicz said.  “I don’t want to be a nuisance, but there needs to be a reasonable solution.  I have plenty of trees and leaves.  If the garbage guys picked it up, it wouldn’t be a problem.”

Rozalewicz also has one acre of land in an unincorporated area near Stevenson.

Some residents in the unincorporated area supported the restrictions, as the smell and smoke from landscape waste burning were irritants.