Island Lake trustees are close to approving new subdivision

The fat lady hasn't sung, but she's certainly warming up backstage as the Island Lake village board readies to approve a subdivision that's been on the table for years.

The annexation agreement for Hillside Estates, a 120-home development on Dowell Road, will near completion in the next couple of months, officials say, despite the concerns of one trustee.

Trustee Don Saville, who has criticized a 7½-acre park in the plan and says the proposal isn't detailed enough, admits he's not gaining any traction with his arguments.

"(Trustees) didn't even put their two cents in," he said. "That's also discouraging … I don't know where they stand."

Saville has said the park is too big and he would prefer money for village coffers.

He's also asked for specifics on building materials and timeframes for construction.

"I have a lot of questions," Saville said. "We've had problems with past annexation agreements and I brought those up."

And though Trustee John Ponio commended Saville at a recent board meeting for investigating the issue, most of the board agrees it's time to finish up the agreement.

"We've got all the input from all the sources," Trustee Don Verciglio said. "Now it's time to pound out the wording."

Trustee Richard Garling said the board has listened to Saville but doesn't find all of his suggestions helpful, particularly noting a proposal to tack on an additional $3,000 fee per home.

"Some of the things that Trustee Saville was suggesting, we'll consider," Garling said, but more fees aren't likely. "I don't see that happening."

Garling said the developer is willing to provide details and drawings that have already been completed on specifics of the project.

"My understand is that there's already a drawing done. We just have to see it," Garling said. "That doesn't seem to be that big of a deal."