‘Land saved’: The Conservation Foundation steps in to help preserve property once eyed for warehouses

Nearly four years ago, Dundee Township residents banded together to fight against a proposed warehouse development at Binnie and Randall roads.

Today, a sign from The Conservation Foundation at the same intersection proclaims victory: “Land Saved.”

The Conservation Foundation, with the help of two benefactors, purchased the 122 acres last year for $6 million, effectively taking the land between Carpentersville and West Dundee off the market for development.

When the banner first went up, drivers expressed their support.

“They were rolling down their windows saying good job, thank you and honking their horns,” recalled Brook McDonald, president and CEO of The Conservation Foundation. “It really felt good to hear them say that.”

In 2021, West Dundee village officials rejected a proposal for a warehouse and logistics development on 90 acres at the southeast corner of Randall and Binnie roads. The measure never reached village trustees for a vote.

The following year, the developer floated similar concept plans to Carpentersville officials. That proposal, which included 1 million square feet of warehouse space in three buildings, drew objections from neighboring residents. In the end, the developer never submitted formal plans.

While the foundation currently holds title to the property, the eventual hope is to sell it to the Kane County Forest Preserve District.

The site backs up to Schweitzer Woods. Jelke Creek also runs through it. A grove of mature oak trees, estimated to be 150 to 200 years old, is part of the rolling landscape, said Dan Lobbes, director of land protection for The Conservation Foundation.

“It’s a beautiful piece of property,” Lobbes said.

Last year, the forest preserve district applied for a state grant to help purchase the land. Officials hope to hear on the status of the grant application in the next two to three months, Kane County Forest Preserve District President Bill Lenert said.

“There’s a lot of natural benefits to that property,” Lenert said. “There’s connectivity to some of our other forest preserve property, and it fits our overall approach to lands we like to purchase.”

The Galvin family, of Motorola fame, owned the property and used it for a horse training facility.

After the failed warehouse proposals, a private resident purchased the property from the Galvin family. Another private foundation provided $1.5 million in financing so The Conservation Foundation could purchase the land from the new owner.

The Conservation Foundation hopes to sell the property to the Kane County Forest Preserve District for $4.5 million — the price the foundation paid after the grant was applied.

While both the private foundation and the resident who stepped in to buy the land wish to remain anonymous, officials say they played a critical role in preserving the property.

“But for the benefactor, this could not have happened,” West Dundee Village President Chris Nelson said.

“This takes it off the table for any development that could abut existing homes,” Nelson added.

McDonald said residents who were opposed to the warehouse development were “instrumental” in urging the foundation to get involved. The anonymous resident who stepped in to buy the land gave the foundation the time it needed to secure the grant and financing, he added.

As for the future of the property, McDonald said he hopes to see it restored to its natural habitat. A preliminary concept plan includes trails and wetland, woodland and prairie restoration. Noting that Dundee Township Park District’s Randall Oaks recreation area is across the street on the west side of Randall Road, McDonald hopes one day to see an overpass or underpass connecting the two.

Ultimately, officials are eager to see the land preserved for years to come.

“It was a generational opportunity and serves not only West Dundee but those of surrounding communities … it’s a very impressive and valuable piece of nature,” said Tim Scott, West Dundee’s director of economic development, planning, zoning and urban development. He added that preserving open space along the Randall Road “helps balance out all the new development that’s happened along the corridor.”