Village land holdings an issue in Round Lake trustee race

Round Lake trustee candidates differ on the concept of giving away village-owned land in exchange for a major development.

Six candidates are running for three open village board seats. Voters will make their selections April 7.

Incumbent Donald Newby, Sonia Sandoval and Susan Triphahn are on the United for Change slate headed by mayoral candidate James Dietz. Incumbent Brian Brubaker, Cynthia Pruim Haran and Al Villasenor are on the Round Lake United Party slate led by Mayor Bill Gentes.

Round Lake has built up a portfolio of village-owned property. It includes a 57-acre site at Wilson Road and Route 120, purchased by the village for $5.5 million in 2006 and originally set aside for a hospital that didn't win state approval.

In a recent Daily Herald editorial board interview, Brubaker said it would be appropriate to provide free land to a developer if that meant landing a significant commercial, retail or mixed-use project. Brubaker said Round Lake's land holdings can be used as an incentive to lure development that would broaden the tax base.

Brubaker's trustee running-mates, Haran and Villasenor, supported the concept of using village-owned property as an economic development tool.

"Would I give land to a developer?" Villasenor said. "Yes, because it's a long-term vision."

United for Change candidates had a different idea.

"I would not support giving land to a developer," Newby said.

Triphahn said she'd need to scrutinize a development proposal if it required donated village land, but was unsure of the idea. Sandoval said she "probably" wouldn't back such a proposal.