Villa Olivia dispute continues

The Villa Olivia annexation saga continued Wednesday night as Elgin leaders heard another round of passionate pleas, impact studies and legal arguments as to why the city should not annex a 139-acre golf course so 325 homes could be erected.

Elgin's planning commission recommended denial last year of a plan by Ryland Homes to redevelop the course, which the owners say is no longer viable. City leaders held an annexation hearing so if and when a court battle ends, the land could be brought into Elgin.

City leaders took no action and will revisit the issue on May 14. "There's no sense of urgency in this," said Councilman Robert Gilliam.

The course currently is part of Bartlett, but a judge recently ruled that its owners may disconnect. But the judge also ruled that a covenant preventing the land from being redeveloped until 2022 should stand. Both sides have appealed.

Bartlett Village Attorney Bryan Mraz said a ruling isn't expected for 12 to 18 months and noted Bartlett leaders have formerly asked that Elgin hold off on any discussion until all appeals have been exhausted.

"We feel that voting on an annexation agreement at this point is premature," Mraz said.

Ryland hopes to build 96 single-family homes and 279 townhouses at the site, along with 11 acres of commercial development at Naperville Road and Lake Street. Ryland attorney Peter Bazos said the 2022 covenant would allow 1,275 homes to be built.

"This project will bring high-end growth and commercial development to Elgin's far east side," said Bazos, who noted single-family homes would start in the $400,000s.

Residents living around the area, particularly those in Tuscan Woods and Castle Creek, also Ryland developments, said they were told surrounding homes would be executive-style homes, but the Villa Olivia plan has smaller homes on smaller lots and less green space.

Castle Creek resident Andrea Evensen said the development would decrease home values, burden schools with new students and cause all new traffic to go through their neighborhood because no new entrance off Route 20 would be paved. She said if Elgin really wants the plan, the city should eliminate the townhouses and increase green space.

Five of seven councilmen, a super-majority, must approve the annexation.

Councilman David Kaptain said he won't be one of them, arguing the development would hurt home values. "That could be devastating to people trying to sell," he said. "There is a financial impact to the city of Elgin. I won't support it."