In a surprising action, the Richmond Village Board voted to postpone a decision on the possibility of annexing the 47 acre property near Broadway and Rt. 173. The meeting was opened with all board members present and approximately 50 citizens in the audience.

Village President Kevin Brusek opened the hearing about the annexation by inviting members of the audience to ask questions. Terri LaDuk, a zoning board member, opened by stating her concern that the village board should wait to pass annexation until the board and the planning commission could offer their input. LaDuk said, “We have this chance to do it right.”

Another citizen then stated that the current plan is “a slap in the face to everyone.” He asked Brusek about if there is enough money in the bank to pay for a new sewage plant. Brusek replied that funding is not yet in place, but that there is a $1,750,000 government grant pending and that the new residents would be making payments along the way for the sewage plant. “The EPA said that we must build a plant,” said Brusek.

Charles Schultz questioned whether having three homes on a R1 zoned acre would produce more income than one home on an estate zoned acre. He also questioned the density of homes on the 47 acre parcel saying it would just be too crowded. “A plan should be thorough before accepted,” he said, “and we need to be able to make an informed and better judgment.”

Brusek noted that due to the slopes, the 47 acre parcel is not conducive for septic systems. He favors the clustering development concept. Brusek also said that engineers will look at the traffic situation at Broadway and Rt. 173 to see what improvements need to be made to make the area safe. The addition of a cul-de-sac on Broadway is not a certainty.

Beau McConnell from Harvard made an emotional presentation. He said that his great-great grandfather was the first settler in Richmond and built its first house. He suggested that no annexation should be allowed until more discussion is explored. “Vote with your hearts and you will do the right thing.” Said McConnell. “My grandpa helped to make this a great place to live. Why did you moved here? Do you want to stay? Act sanely and logically with a long range plan.” The crowd applauded.

Jill Cody noted that her family moved here six years ago. One of the things that attracted her to the area was its school system with smaller classes. “What will happen to our schools?” said Cody excitedly. “I want this decision to be sent to committees.”

School District 2 Superintendent, George Zimmer, said, “We must delay this and allow the schools and Robert May to explore options for land and present a good plan.”

Charles Edredge, Zoning Board Chairman, then told the village board that by a 4-2 vote the zoning board of approval recommended to accept the annexation proposal as presented by May. He added that the recommendation included a stipulation that all homes built be detached single-family style.

Sam Diamond, attorney for developer May, told the board there were two minor changes in the proposal. First, that all homes would be single family detached style. Second, that the developer and builder would cooperate to make the access road from Rt. 173 sensible. “The current proposal makes sense the way it is,” he said.

Robert Teska, an expert urban planner called in by May, stated that there is general agreement that zoning aside, annexation is good. He said that more planning is needed for Tamarack as well, but that the concern for the 47 acre parcel has taken on a magnitude greater than it deserves. “The annexation will be beneficial to the village,” he said, “as will the recommended zoning. This will give the village control over a key parcel, owned by local citizens.”

Teska also said that annexation provides unique opportunities for the village. It would be able to provide local input into the bypass proposal, for example. The ability to bring in a Metra train line would improve the comprehensive perspective. He emphasized that coordination of efforts is very important for eventual success. He noted that the village’s comprehensive plan calls for housing variety, not everything looking the same.

Brusek questioned Diamond about provisions in the annexation proposal including surface water detention, easements, density, and storm water retention. Diamond responded that the developer is willing to work with the village on all aspects.

Village Board member, Mark Cunningham, questioned Diamond about the housing density. Cunningham said, “I keep seeing 70 houses on 14 acres. This means there will be five houses per acre, not the 2.5 per acre as in the proposal.” Both Diamond and Teska offered explanations, but Cunningham was not convinced.

Brusek said that the majority of houses in the village are sitting on 6,000 square foot lots. He asking the developer to pay a percentage of the cost to alter the Broadway and Rt. 173 intersection to handle anticipated additional traffic. “Traffic flow on the bypass will determine how big the intersection will be,” he said. Regarding IDOT’s (Illinois Dept of Transportation) participation. “IDOT will not address the problem until after the change happens,:” he said. “The annexation agreement must be revised to address the impact on Broadway.”

Board member Cunningham made a motion to postpone a decision on the annexation agreement but Brusek asked attorney Brian Farley to present his statements on behalf of Drummond and Lopat before the board voted on Cunningham’s motion.

Farley said he in spirit he represents the whole village, not just Lopat and Drummond whose property is adjacent to the 47 acre parcel. He recommended that the Planning Commission be brought into action to make sure the proposal is in compliance.change the comprehensive plan and then see if May’s project fits into it, allow the public time to digest the proposal and pay close attention to the exact wording of the Annexation Agreement.

“The duty and responsibility of this board is to the people of the village,” said Farley. “You must be able to answer specific questions put to you. It is also the last opportunity to address the Comdisco situation. What does the town get out of this?”

Farley said that the senior housing proposal it is a good start, but that the village board must require that there would a penalty be imposed if not carried through. “The idea that the planning board will fix a problem is fiction,” he said, “When the annexation is approved, the developer has legal rights which are very difficult to combat. Somehow May must be forced to comply with planning board recommendations.”

Farley also questioned the intentions of the developer. “He either has no idea of what they want to build or he is scared to show us what the plan really is,” he said.

Alan Stefaniak, an attorney representing Drummond and Lopat, said, “You don’t want to be the developer’s partner,” He suggested that the board require the PUD (Planned Unit Development) ordinance to effect control over the developer. “The subdivision ordinance gives you criteria, but not control. You cannot afford not to do planning. There is no financial cost to you. The developer must provide for the information which will help you make a good decision,” said Stefaniak.

On a motion of Mark Cunningham, the village board voted to postpone a decision on the annexation proposal until Sept. 18, 2002, at 7:30.

Other Board Business

Brusek said that he and Bob Martins, village president of Spring Grove, agreed to a joint meeting between Richmond and Spring Grove to discuss land donations and impact fees as both towns are uniquely tied together. “We need both towns to contribute equally to support our common expenses like the school system,” he said. This comment brought applause from the audience.

Brusek also said that Richmond needs to form an ad hoc committee to review the zoning ordinance to consider “performance based zoning”. The proposed committee would include Eric Mayer of the Planning Commision, Ann Cunningham of the Zoning Board, Dave Delgatto from the village board and himself.

The board recommended that the local bed and breakfast establishment go before the full board, rather than the zoning president alone, to consider the addition of a fourth room in the building.

Cunningham asked the audience if anyone from the school boards attended the Spring Grove village board meeting which approved a 232 acre annexation the previous night. Lynn Hunter said she was not sure if anyone did go to that meeting.