Long Grove subdivision would get Lake Michigan water under county plan

Homeowners in Long Grove’s Herons Landing subdivision would have Lake Michigan water service by the end of the year, under a deal being considered by the Lake County Board.

Long Grove village leaders already have approved the proposal for the 118 homes, which are north of Port Clinton Road at Blue Heron Drive.

The homes are served by private wells now. The homeowners association had requested Lake Michigan water, said Heather Galan, a senior civil engineer with the county who’s been working on the proposal.

Getting Lake Michigan water to the subdivision, which would require the installation of a new water distribution system there and connecting to the county’s water system in Vernon Hills, is expected to cost about $2.1 million.

Half of the Herons Landing homeowners have paid a $25,200 per-home fee that will help fund the work, said Peter Kolb, the county’s public works director.

The other homeowners will be charged $2,200 a year for 30 years as part of their property-tax bills. That comes to $66,000 per homeowner, including interest.

Long Grove officials agreed to borrow $1.5 million to cover the homeowners who didn’t pay their shares up front.

The county board’s public works and transportation committee on Wednesday tentatively approved a contract with Joel Kennedy Construction Corp. to do the work.

If the full county board approves the deal next week, construction could begin soon after, Kolb said.

The Central Lake County Join Action Water Agency, which allocates water from Lake Michigan, already has approved adding the homes to the service.

The project is expected to be completed in November.

In addition to outdoor construction, some plumbing work will be needed inside the homes, Kolb said.