Way may be paved for Lake in the Hills asphalt shingle recycling plant
Plans to bring an asphalt shingle recycling plant to Lake in the Hills are moving forward after village board members raised no objections at a committee of the whole meeting Tuesday.
The plant would be operated by Southwind RAS on the so-called Krueger property on the west side of Route 31, about 2,000 feet north of Trinity Drive, currently in an unincorporated area of McHenry County.
The Lawrence Krueger Declaration of Trust, which owns the property, is requesting annexation to Lake in the Hills, as well as limited manufacturing zoning and a conditional use permit.
The village's planning and zoning commission on Dec. 12 recommended approval of the plan, with the provision that permits from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency and United States Department of Agriculture be in place before operations begin.
Attorney Rich Guerard, who represents both the property owners and Southwind RAS, showed board members a four-minute video illustrating how asphalt shingles from residential roofs would be brought to the plant, ground into particles and then shipped off-site to be mixed with asphalt.
"There are no known sources of groundwater pollution related to (recycled asphalt shingles) processing. It's not hazardous material and will not be dangerous to any existing or future neighborhood," Guerard said.
Trustee Stephen Harlfinger asked about how organic shingles are sorted out from asphalt shingles, which Southwind RAS manager Matt Vondra said happens through a multi-step process.
Trustee Paul Mulcahy asked about dust and airborne particles, and Vondra replied that none of the processes require employees to wear protective clothing. Those who do, do so at their own volition, he added.
Village staff contacted officials from Bartlett, Lyons and Peoria, where Southwind RAS operates such plants. Those officials reported the operation is clean and has caused no major complaints, Community Development Director Dan Olson said.
Mining operations take place west and south of the property, while a seasonal flea market operates to the north. Two adjacent landowners have submitted letters of support, Olson said.
The plant would be 900 feet from Route 31, and the nearest residential subdivision is more than 1,800 feet away, officials said.
In May, the property was de-annexed from Cary, whose village board in early December approved a resolution stating its opposition to having the plant at that location, citing concerns about its environmental impact.
The village board is expected to authorize staff Thursday to negotiate an annexation agreement for the Krueger property.