Campton Hills delays vote on annexation

After a two-hour meeting attended by about 60 people Saturday, Campton Hills officials delayed action on a controversial annexation.

The village board was to vote on a proposal to annex 122 acres owned by Algus Real Estate in DeKalb. Al Gustafson, the owner of the property, had asked for the annexation.

Leland Strom, who wants to deannex his 77 acres within the village, claims Gustafson's annexation petition is meant to undermine his own effort.

Strom, other family members and his attorney Tim Elliott were present at the meeting.

"It could prevent us from exiting because it could cause an isolation of land consideration," Strom said. Strom had filed court papers Friday seeking to prohibit the Saturday discussion but his request was denied.

Saturday's delay gives both sides in the debate more time for discussion and avoided what some felt would have been a hasty decision.

The village board will reconsider the ordinance March 4.

Judge Michael Colwell was set to hear arguments on Strom's disconnection request Feb. 13. But Strom's attorney will seek to reschedule that hearing after the March 4 board meeting.

Strom and his brother, Warren, both addressed the board Saturday, reminding officials that their family has owned the land for 93 years.

"We want you to honor our petition to disconnect," Leland Strom said. "I have an easement agreement with the county, we want our land to be preserved as open spaces without the burden of being in the village."

Leland Strom works for the Farm Credit Bureau in Washington, D.C., but flew back for the meeting and said he considers his property to be "home."

Village President Patsy Smith did not comment on Strom's petition to disconnect. She said it was in the interest of the village to annex the Gustafson property because of the location of water recharge areas and because the annexation would allow revenue which could pay for road maintenance.

Trustees Michael Millette and Jim Kopec both stated they were in agreement with the wishes of the Strom family in preserving open space.

Millette said he hoped that a "compromise could balance the fears of the Strom family with the annexation."

Kopec said he didn't wish to see the farmland "altered" but said "we need to have control over areas affecting our water."

Strom's comments to the village board were met with loud applause from many of those in attendance.

Strom is one of several residents waging a fight to have their property removed from within boundaries of the village. The village was incorporated last year.

Gustafson was not present but was represented by his attorney John Thornhill.

The meeting was scheduled to be held in the village hall but was moved to the Campton Community Center because of the crowd.