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Master plan for government campus in Libertyville questioned

An already lengthy debate regarding the future of Lake County's government campus in Libertyville will continue as village officials await more information about what can be built there before making a decision.

Besides directing staff to prepare a clearer version of what is being presented, village officials want a legal opinion of what could happen if the county withdraws its proposed master plan.

“If they walk away are we in a worse position?” Mayor Terry Weppler asked Wednesday. “The issue is what do we legally have a right to require the county to do.”

Room for compromise appears to be narrowing. County officials say the plan has evolved in response to questions raised in the past year in meetings with the village staff and residents, and at four public hearings before the village's plan commission.

“We've taken everything they've said to heart,” County Administrator Barry Burton said Wednesday. “We've made a lot of concessions.”

Some of those include increasing the distance of building setbacks and lowering the maximum allowed building height, for example. The county also will prohibit correctional institutions.

But what uses will be permitted, prohibited or require a more detailed review in the 20-year plan remain the central issues for impassioned residents, who reiterated their concerns Tuesday to the village board.

Residents presented a list of “must haves” that included eliminating any uses with a “potential criminal element.” Those include parole and probation offices or facilities for ex-offenders, including but not limited to sex offenders, for example, on the 172-acre site north and west of Milwaukee Avenue and Winchester Road.

“We would like a say in the matter. I know it's not our land but it's our community,” said Steve Dulek, a resident of Adler Drive abutting the northern boundary of the property, which the county has owned since 1847.

Dulek was one of about a dozen residents who addressed the village board Tuesday as it considered the plan commission report. The advisory group by a 5-1 vote recommended approval of the master plan.

County operations, including the Winchester House nursing home, public works, transportation and sheriff facilities, have existed on the site for years. Concerns have centered on what may be built in the future.

While more extensive review applies to overnight facilities in two areas closest to homes, residents want that extended to all areas.

“The burden of your decision could change the face of the community forever,” said Rick Marder, who spoke on behalf of many members of the Citizens United for Healthy Development in Libertyville. “If you let the county have their carte blanche, you will silence the public voice for the next 20 years.”

Submitting such a plan was a condition of village approval in 2007 of the County's Central Permit Facility. That agreement essentially has expired but the county work to produce a plan has proceeded.

The county contends it isn't known what might be needed on the campus in the next 20 years, but certain uses are permitted without the more extensive review residents are seeking.

Village trustees said residents raised several legitimate points and directed the staff to more closely examine permitted uses in that zoning district.