A leery DeKalb City Council postponed a decision Monday night concerning the proposed development of a three-lot subdivision by Kishwaukee Development Corporation at the western end of Greenwood North Drive.

The proposed preliminary plat has been reviewed and approved by the DeKalb Plan Commission, following the concurrence of the Illinois Department of Transportation/Division of Water Resources and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Council members, however, showed much concern over the possibility of future flooding and the blame of such an incident resting on their shoulders by the future residents of these three lots.

“How do you verbalize to future residents that they will at sometime in the future be flooded,” asked 2nd Ward Ald. Michael Welsh.

“We feel like we’ve addressed all the questions proposed by the city council sufficiently concerning the three lots,” said property owner John Hemingway, representing the Kishwaukee Development Corporation.

Fifth Ward Ald. Bessie Chronopoulos also expressed concern for the future possibility of flooding. “We’re trying to do preventive maintenance,” she said.

However, not all council members were against the proposed development. Fourth Ward Ald. Rita Tewksbury said the expert opinions and the knowledge that the lots have met all requirements by the city, state and federal governments should be enough for the proposed developments to be carried out.

Because the developer has met all locally-adopted subdivision requirements on paper and has gained approval from the Plan Commission, the Planning Department has recommended that the council approve the developer’s request.

However, the council may, under its power to protect the health, safety, and welfare of city residents, deny the proposed development. The final decision will be discussed at the council’s next meeting.