W. Chicago planners like St. Andrews' plan

West Chicago Plan Commission leaders Tuesday favored St. Andrews Golf and Country Club's request for the city to annex about 250 acres of St. Andrews Golf and Country Club.

Next, the golf club's request will be presented to the city's development committee on Oct. 13. If they also favor the request, city officials will conduct a formal vote in coming months.

However, more than 60 concerned West Chicago residents attended the public hearing at Wheaton Academy to voice their concerns and oppositions to the project, which entails St. Andrews officials' request to have 210 acres of the golf course zoned for residential use. The remaining 40 acres, which are located along Route 59, would be zoned for commercial use.

There are no immediate plans to develop the property.

"Basically, we've been part of West Chicago since forever," St. Andrews President Gerard Hinckley said. "This course was built 80 years ago in 1926, and the ties to West Chicago have been very strong.

"Now, we might as well get the full partnership with the city, and I think it's going to be good for us."

One by one, residents expressed concerns about the zoning change and potential overpopulation of schools. Community members also wanted verification that no townhouses or condominium buildings would be built.

Many continued to ask why the annexation is speeding ahead when, technically by contract, the annexation must be done by 2011.

"There's a lot of people here tonight who cannot understand what's going on here," said Rosemarie Hozjan of West Chicago. "I'm against having this developed and I would prefer to see it remain the way it is."

Bob Kowalske, who lives near the golf course, said he moved to the area for the openness.

"If and when we go to develop this golf course, this is not in line with the surrounding area," said the West Chicago resident.

Hinckley said by nature some people don't like change, mainly because they're concerned about what's going to happen down the road.

But he said St. Andrews officials are concerned, too.

"We're going in with the understanding that the city will have the final say in terms of evaluating any future plans," Hinckley said.

Last year, St. Andrews had about 200 acres of its farmland annexed by West Chicago. About 65 acres of its course was brought into the city in the 1990s.

St. Andrews' plan is consistent with the city's comprehensive plan, which has the golf course listed as residential.