Two years after the DuPage Forest Preserve Commission first announced its intentions to buy the 15-acre Riedy’s Tee Time Golf Sports Center in Lisle, the commission on Tuesday developed a different approach that would allow the driving range to operate but prevent it from being developed.
Instead of trying to buy the entire site, the commission wants to buy only a 1.5-acre stretch along the East Branch of the DuPage River, which runs alongside the property, and create a conservation easement on a 15.5-acre portion of the property that is flood plain. The move allows the driving range business to stay open but requires that the land be left open space and prevents the Riedy family from selling the land to developers.
In doing so, though, the district is relinquishing any effort to acquire nearly 3 acres of property next to Maple Avenue.
The Forest Preserve District’s attorneys are expected to present the proposal to Riedy’s attorneys in coming weeks.
