Asphalt plant winding down on Grayslake border

Grayslake officials have agreed an industrial use would be proper on land where an asphalt plant is scheduled to close on a southern border of the village.

Village board members in July 2012 approved an agreement amendment with Vulcan Materials Corp., which owns the unincorporated site at routes 137 and 83. Curran Contracting Company Inc. has run the asphalt plant on Vulcan’s land.

Grayslake officials said the deal between Vulcan and the village was meant to end what they contended was a significant air pollution source from the asphalt operation.

At a meeting Tuesday night, the village board informally agreed that a limited industry zoning classification would be best for the land after the asphalt plant comes down.

Grayslake will control the property by bringing it within village borders through annexation, as established in the agreement with Vulcan Materials.

“This is another step in what’s been a long process,” Trustee Bruce Bassett said.

Mayor Rhett Taylor said not having the asphalt production at routes 83 and 137 will improve the overall appearance of the village’s south side.

Under the agreement, the asphalt plant equipment must be removed by Jan. 1, 2014. Four billboards on the property must be gone by Dec. 31, 2015.

In 2011, Grayslake hired Curran Contracting to handle resurfacing work on Atkinson Road between Washington Street and Sheffield Lane.