If West Chicago city officials are guilty of one thing with regards to the Klein fen spectacle, it is an unfortunate neglect of public explanation.

The 200-acre property lies just north of St. Andrews Golf and County Club, and is in the process of being annexed by the city. The land would be zoned R-3, which requires a minimum lot size of 9,000 square feet for any development. Residents, specifically Friends of Klein Fen, have protested the move every millimeter of the way.

Officials swear there are no plans to develop the land, but are pushing for the R-3 zoning, instead of ER-1, which requires 40,000-square-foot lots and is the standard for newly annexed land. Why?

Because city officials can’t control any development under an ER-1 zoning, and can control development under R-3. Residents have a right to expect more than just the word of officials that the area won’t be developed. So West Chicago officials need to step up with a campaign of information, or wrangle up a few lawyers and change a law.

Planned Unit Development, which allows a city to map out a developing area to ensure quality green space, comfortable residential room and suitable commercial arenas, is what the city is after. As the laws are written now, Planned Unit Development isn’t an option under ER-1. It is, however, under R-3.

Since R-3 makes residents nervous, officials either need to find a way to change the law  — or find a way to efficiently convey the message that the R-3 zoning is desirable for reasons that don’t involve destroying nearby wetlands.