Lake in the Hills strikes deal to buy disputed airport land

After nearly 18 months of legal wrangling with a local business owner, the village of Lake in the Hills finally owns a disputed piece of land officials say they need for a $23 million plan to improve safety at the village's airport.

Still to be determined, though, is exactly how much the village will pay for it.

Under a deal approved Thursday by McHenry County Judge Michael Caldwell, the village will receive a deed to the three-quarter-acre lot on the north side of the airport previously owned by the Athans Co.

In return, the village agreed to deposit $477,500 with the McHenry County Circuit Clerk, collateral of sorts that guarantees some future payment for the land.

"It's not done because the amount deposited is just a discussion figure," Village President Ed Plaza said. "But now we can go forward with the improvements."

An Athans officials could not be reached for comment.

The land in question has been at the center of a legal dispute that began in October 2007 when the village filed eminent domain proceedings against Athans when the two sides could not reach an agreement on the property's value. The village had offered $460,000 for the land, but Athans was seeking $560,000 plus other concessions.

Village officials say they need the property to meet Federal Aviation Administration requirements regarding separation between the airport's single runway and its taxiway.

That is part of a larger plan that includes realigning Pyott Road near the airport - work that is expected to be done this year - and widening the runway.