Elgin church gets permit to build fence

Much to the dismay of neighbors surrounding Harvest Bible Chapel, the city of Elgin has issued a permit to the church that gives it the right to build a 6-foot fence near their homes.

More than two dozen residents from the Highland Glen subdivision on the west side approached the city council Wednesday night and said the 880-foot-long fence would obstruct their views of their natural surroundings and lower their property values.

They also said the church hasn't been a good neighbor because it hasn't kept them in the loop about the project.

They also presented a petition with more than 200 signatures against the project and questioned why the church didn't require a hearing for the permit.

“We need your leadership, intervention and help,” said resident Doug Klein, who has lived there for 15 years. “We are hoping for the best-case scenario no fence.”

The city, after running an extensive legal review, determined it was legally obligated to issue a permit and that the church did not have to go through a public hearing, since existing provisions authorize certain changes without hearings, said Corporation Counsel Bill Cogley.

Cogley also said he asked church leadership to consider other screening methods, since the fence has become a “contentious issue with neighbors.”

Cogley added that he did not receive a commitment from the church to do that.

Church officials could not be reached for comment Thursday.

The privacy fence would run north-south along the western boundary line of Harvest Bible Chapel's wooded property, 1000 Randall Road, and butt up against eight yards in the subdivision.

Neighbors are due to meet with church officials in mid January to further discuss the fence.