Fox River Grove neighbors say they’re not OK with bus tours
A tour bus with senior citizens from Minnesota visited Bettendorf Castle in Fox River Grove last week, angering neighbors and prompting village officials to look into whether any ordinances were violated — and how to regulate any future bus tours.
Residents voiced their complaints at a village board meeting Thursday night, and the board directed the village attorney and planning and zoning consultant to study the village code, Village President Robert Nunamaker said.
“Exactly what requirements they would have had for a tour is not clear right now,” he said. “We want to regulate these tours based on the needs of the residents. There is a right to fair use of the land, and a right not to have large tour buses every day.”
The bus might have been in violation of the ordinance that limits to 36,000 pounds the weight of vehicles in residential areas, Police Chief Ron Lukasik said. No special permits were issued for the bus, he said.
Bettendorf Castle owners Michael and Judy Strohl did not respond to requests for comment Friday. In March, the Strohls withdrew their request for a zoning change to host tours and events at the castle after being turned down by committee and facing opposition from residents.
The castle is at 418 Concord Ave. and was built between 1931 and 1967.
On July 14, officers were called about a disturbance when the bus tour was leaving, Lukasik said.
By the time officers arrived, the bus already had left. In the following days, officers reviewed videotapes and issued $75 citations to two residents, Lukasik said.
Residents Ted Johnson and Diana Durso, who were cited for standing in the roadway and obstructing traffic, respectively, said their behavior was blown out of proportion. Both, however, said residents of Concord Avenue will never accept having bus tours in their neighborhood, however infrequent.
“We are opposed to bus tours, period,” Johnson said. “There is no sidewalk, we have children, and the street is not wide enough.”
Durso agreed. “This is like (the Strohls) snubbing their nose at the village. It’s total disregard,” she said. “There is no compromise.”
McHenry County Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Cort Carlson said the agency connected the tour operator with the Strohl family, but was not involved in setting up the terms of the visit.
“We talk to our operators and tour planners and try to convince them to come to McHenry County,” he said. “They were here for a four-day, three-night motor coach tour. The castle was one small part of their entire tour of the area.”
The issue will be discussed at the village’s public health and safety committee meeting Aug. 2, officials said.