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Kennel annexation disregards neighborhood

On April 9, Lake Villa trustees voted to annex Shag Bark Kennel on Wittenburg Drive over the objections of the residents on Wittenburg Drive. In fact, most of the residents on Wittenburg Drive had signed a petition objecting to the annexation.

The objections were:

1. The annexation would allow up to 200 dogs on this five-acre parcel

2. Property values would be negatively affected

3. The barking dogs create a noise nuisance and negatively impact our quality of life.

4. Wittenburg Drive is a dead-end street with 10 five-acre lots. The annexation would "divide" the development into nine lots in unincorporated Lake County and one in the village.

We were further dismayed by the apparent conflict of interest by attorney Dan Venturi who represented Shag Bark Kennel. He is our township supervisor and supposedly representing the interests of all of us, not just one.

The process itself is defective. There were two meetings prior to the April 9 meeting for public comment but no dialogue with village officials was permitted.

The zoning board of appeals did vote 3-2 against recommending the annexation but their recommendation was ignored. On April 9, the village board took two minutes to pass the annexation with no discussion.

Frankly, the highly-taxed residents (I do mean very high) were ignored as well.

Many of us are older, even elderly and pay dearly in property taxes. This is not the first time our lives have been degraded by Lake Villa. Approximately seven years ago, Lake Villa annexed the land adjacent to Wittenburg Drive for Lakes High School. The school built an athletic field and installed a high wattage PA system with the speakers directed toward Wittenburg Drive.

We want our voices heard, but elected officials and school managers are not listening, only taxing.

John L. Stedl

Lake Villa