Kane CO. OKs expansion for 1 village, not other

Two growing northern Kane County villages seeking to expand their planning areas received opposite recommendations from the Kane County Board's development committee Tuesday.

The committee voted to oppose Pingree Grove's request to add 133 acres to its planning area because part of that land is now included in neighboring Hampshire's planning area and because the two villages can't reach a boundary agreement. Both want to develop a 95-acre parcel on the northwest corner of Route 20 and Route 47.

"This is a classic issue of one municipality trying to take over another municipality for tax dollars," said committee member Barb Wojnicki, a Campton Hills Republican.

Pingree Grove approved a concept plan for that site that includes a 45-acre retail/commercial space featuring a 241,500-square-foot big-box store and residential development with 400 townhouses. County development staff criticized that plan for not including so-called "smart growth" principles such as compact, mixed-use walkable areas.

The village annexed that land, along with a nearby 24-acre parcel at Route 20 and Thurnau Road, in November. Adding the site to its planning area will allow the village to extend water and sewer services there, a decision that will be made by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency with recommendation from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning.

County officials plan to outline their concerns to CMAP before CMAP's wastewater committee meets to consider the request Feb. 13.

In a separate motion, the development committee voted to support Hampshire's request to add 352 acres to its planning area. The land includes the proposed Shireland Center for Business Development on 347 acres north of the Northwest Tollway and east of Widmayer Road, and a 5-acre portion of a 40-acre commercial/residential site along Widmayer south of the tollway. The village is in the process of annexing both parcels.

Development committee members backed the request, saying it's consistent with the county's 2030 land-use plan.