Kane County Reporter

A proposed retail development and apartment complex in Geneva is drawing attention in social media, much as the projects might once have gotten attention in less digital ways.

The Arlington Heights Daily Herald newspaper recently reported that in times past, attending local government meetings, following newspaper coverage and writing letters to the editor amounted to most community project participation, a column penned by Dave Heun said.

"Today, residents can make decisions about a development proposal through social media even before a City Council committee or plan commission has heard the developer elaborate on submitted plans," the column said. "A submitted plan is open to the public and often posted on a city website. Via Facebook, the opinions and thoughts start rolling in."

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There are drawbacks to online project coverage and participation, Geneva Fifth Ward Alderman Craig Maladra said in the column.

"Social media exacerbates divisions between people," Maladra said. "It has led people into entrenched positions, with everybody talking and nobody listening."

The column referred to a project in Maladra's ward, a mixed-use proposal for a project at 609 S. Third St., where a Duke & Lee's service station currently operates. The new development would include apartments and a first-floor retail area.

The proposed development hasn't yet gone before Geneva City Council but already is the stuff of debate in social media comments, according to the column.

"Rapid change is discomforting at best and downright scary at worst," Maladra said in the column. "Social media provides an outlet for people to voice their fears and frustration with change. It becomes a forum in which some people will fan the flames of fear and frustration for their own purposes."

For all the heated debate, Maladra said in the column that there are pluses in reading residents comments online before the project moves ahead.

"I consider such input as a part of the homework we need to do when deciding on something," he said in the column. "But only part of the homework, as we also need to consider our strategic vision so that we can make decisions that are in the best long-term interest of Geneva."