Campton Hills land-use plan debated

Campton Hills officials disagreed Tuesday over whether to use long-range land-use plans from Kane County or Campton Township as the basis for their own.

There was a consensus, however, that whichever document is selected would be merely a foundation the village could build upon.

"This is a starting point," said Plan Commissioner Jay Richardson. "It is not meant to be the end-all."

The discussion took place at a plan commission meeting attended by several village trustees and township officials. The village, which incorporated last spring, is attempting to expedite the adoption of a temporary land-use plan, which would set standards for development and suggest land uses in potential growth areas.

The process has become a priority as officials fight legal attempts from several neighborhoods to withdraw from village boundaries.

Also pushing the process along is the need to collect builder-paid impact fees on new developments.

On Tuesday, Richardson recommended the adoption of Kane County's 2030 Plan with additions pulled from Campton Township's plan.

He and others agreed planning priorities include exploring growth potential along Route 47, the possibility of redevelopment and new construction in the Wasco business area, residential density requirements and maintaining water resources.

Richardson said he favored the county plan over the township's because the latter is "not necessarily clear and contradictory in places" and also because it does not account for part of Plato Township now in the village.

But fellow Commissioner Stephany Impson said the township document should not be overlooked. "The amount of time and effort put into it by the people who live in this area should be taken into account," she said.

Village Trustees Charles Cappell and Jim Kopec also voiced support for using the township plan as a starting point. Regardless, the document likely will change in the next year or so, officials said, as they solicit feedback from residents for their own plan.

"We need to get a real clear picture of what the residents of this village really expect," Richardson said.

The first such opportunity for locals to weigh in will be at a public hearing planned for 6:30 p.m. Friday at Campton Community Center, 5N082 Old LaFox Road.