New central permitting facility closer to finish line
Lake County's plans for a one-stop shop for all permits nearly hit the brakes because of traffic concerns.
But a condition that requires another entrance to its government campus where the $17 million facility will be built was acceptable to enough Libertyville trustees to allow the plan to move forward.
Trustees voted 3-2 Tuesday to authorize a site plan permit for the facility northwest of Winchester Road and Milwaukee Avenue. Final approval is needed.
The informal ok came with reproaches from some trustees about traffic issues in the area. Some also cited the county's previous unwillingness to provide access that would have allowed expansion of an office/industrial park on Butterfield Road, which is being widened.
"We did the same thing on Butterfield Road and it fell on deaf ears," Trustee Luke Lukens told county officials. "I'm not going to hold a grudge (but) it may make sense for us to be a little more apprehensive and cautious based on our exposure."
Libertyville wanted the county to create an entrance aligned with Walnut Street on the east and install a traffic signal.
The Illinois Department of Transportation has said the amount of traffic doesn't warrant a signal.
"A light is simply not possible because of the volume of traffic," said County Administrator Barry Burton. The area is crowded at times, however, and it is sometimes hard to turn in either direction onto Milwaukee from Walnut.
That was why the county also balked at a modified village suggestion to build the entrance to be right in, right out only.
"Does it make sense to put in the road without the light? We think it doesn't," he added.
That didn't sway Trustee Bob Peron, who with Trustee Donna Johnson voted against the measure.
"We want a light there and we want another access to take the burden off Winchester Road," he said.
Instead, "trigger" points will be inserted in an agreement with the village that will determine when the access and light is installed. The county agreed to install a right-turn lane for southbound Milwaukee onto Winchester.
The county also will produce a master plan for the 170-acre site and create a 50-foot landscape easement along east and north property lines.
Meanwhile, the facility is being designed. It will occupy nine acres north of the sheriff's compound. The county hopes to break ground next spring.
About 160 people -- including the staffs of the storm water management commission, planning, building and development, and, environmental health services -- will work there.
A laboratory to be used by health and public works personnel is also part of the plan.