New talks on Villa Olivia may start

Elgin plan commission members may reopen talks on a controversial housing plan only two weeks after tabling the discussion.

Commission members on Monday will discuss whether to resume talks on the 126-acre development at the Villa Olivia Country Club.

It's been a hot-button issue in Elgin because the property lies within Bartlett -- where village leaders and neighbors oppose the development.

The plan commission has already heard hours of testimony on the project, but abruptly called off discussion at its last meeting Aug. 6.

"Some of our plan commissioners I think are frustrated," Elgin Mayor Ed Schock said. "There's really no perfect solution here. But I think going forward with the hearing is the right thing to do."

The development plans call for 96 houses, 279 townhouses, and maybe a restaurant, banquet hall, bank, drug store and other businesses on the property.

Bartlett village officials are now fighting the property owners in Cook County Circuit Court, arguing in part that a special covenant requires that the land remain a golf course until 2022.

Bartlett officials didn't return calls for comment.

But they've previously asked Elgin to hold off on any discussions until the court can resolve the land issues.

"Bartlett is very upset that Elgin would conduct these hearings prior to any court decision," Schock said. "My question is what harm can it do? We have not weighed in with any information for the court. We remain neutral on that question."

The plan commission is scheduled to meet on the matter at 7 p.m. Monday at city hall, 150 Dexter Court.

City officials say the members won't discuss the development proposal itself -- only procedural issues with how to move forward.