Neighbors say luxury home plan too big for small space

For the past seven years, Rory Cleveland has lived on an 11-acre lot next to a lake, hundreds of yards from his nearest neighbors along Sleepy Hollow Road in unincorporated Dundee Township.

But Cleveland, and neighors, say a luxury home development slated for 5.41 acres south of his property would disrupt the lake and that the lot size is too small for the number of homes proposed.

East Dundee developer Lodge Lake LLC plans to build eight custom homes at 17 N 742 Sleepy Hollow Road, north of Huntley Road in unincorporated Dundee Township. The developer is awaiting for the approval of an annexation agreement with Carpentersville before beginning work.

Cleveland said the eight homes, each costing upward of $700,000, would stress the lake with additional run-off, construction would send fertilizers and other debris into the waterway and also create an eyesore in his backyard.

Cleveland said six other existing lake-front property owners also oppose the custom home proposal.

"I am not against development," said Cleveland, who said he asked the developer to build a berm or buffer between his property and the development. "But I do want to stop the number of homes that they want to build because it will adversely affect my property, the lake and surrounding properties."

However, Lodge Lake President Carrie Koenig said the development would enhance the lake, not harm it.

"We have expressed an interest in joining the lake association, which we will pursue once everything is in place," Koenig said. "The development will add a great contribution to the lake, we plan to help clean it up, which will be a benefit to everyone surrounding it."

Furthermore, Koenig said the eight homes would provide Carpentersville with a price point not currently available, which would in turn increase the village's property tax revenue.