Elgin leaders take loss of golf club development in stride

Elgin city leaders were disappointed, but not necessarily surprised, that the Cook County Forest Preserve District plans to buy a far-east side golf course instead of allowing homes to be built there.

City council members voted in early December to give the thumbs up to Hidden Creek at Rolling Knolls, a plan to build 132 houses and townhouses on the 56-acre Rolling Knolls golf course, 11N260 Rohrssen Road.

Neighbors of the golf course had fought the plan, saying the homes were packed too tightly and it would lead to more traffic, crowded schools and flooding.

But Forest Preserve Superintendent Steven Byline said Thursday night the district intends to buy the course even though one of its co-owners, Tim Schneider, is on the Cook County Board.

Elgin Mayor Ed Schock said Cook County's interest in the land was nothing new and it is the owners' right to sell it if they wish.

"I really thought this was a fine development and could be a positive for Elgin," Schock said. "If they get a better offer or think they can do better selling it to the Cook County Forest Preserve, that's certainly their right."

Councilman Robert Gilliam said he was surprised only in the sense that the forest preserve could have funding available for the course. Gilliam also said it was Schneider's right to sell.

"If he wants to do it, it's his right to do it. Sometimes you plan things and they fall apart for various reasons and you have to accept it and move on," Gilliam said. "I can't sit here and worry about it. If (the development) had been turned down, he probably still would sell it."