Homer Glen board amends Fisher Plaza landscaping grant after staff inspection

The board amended conditions to a previously approved landscape grant for Fisher Plaza (14322 S. Golden Oak Drive) after staff reported the applicant installed fewer plants than the original agreement.

Staff records show 13 plants installed near the plaza sign and additional plantings on the building side; trustees contrasted that with an original 40-plant recommendation. Trustee Mason moved to reduce the required total to 25 plantings (accounting for existing plantings), require a minimum 3-gallon size for added plants, set an inspection deadline in late spring/early summer (July 1) and hold back 10% of the grant disbursement until verified. The motion as amended passed by roll call with an abstention recorded for a trustee who identified a conflict (tenant of Fisher Plaza).

Trustees emphasized a balance between holding to an agreed beautification plan and allowing for practical installation limits dictated by landscape spacing and plant maturity. Planner Gruber explained the installed plants correspond to a staff-drawn landscape area and recommended the additional plantings be completed in the boxed area to the east of the sign. Staff will hold final grant funds until verification of plant installation and may require replanting if winter damage or animal browsing (rabbits) removed some stock.