Elburn Station vote set for March 18

The Elburn village board March 18 will vote on an annexation and development agreement for Shodeen Inc.’s proposed Elburn Station development.

The vote was tabled last autumn when several trustees disagreed with some elements. But in recent weeks, the board has discussed compromises on matters such as multifamily housing, phases of construction, and funding for a pedestrian bridge. The project would include 2,215 residences, and commercial and industrial buildings, and is key to getting the Anderson Road extension built.

The board Monday discussed details of how to split the cost of a pedestrian bridge over the Union Pacific railroad, and what it means when the agreement calls for certain designated areas to be 80 percent complete before work can proceed on another area.

Trustee Jerry Schmidt, who favors the development, asked why the board couldn’t vote on the agreement Monday, since a special village board meeting had been called. Village Attorney Bob Britz said to have a vote, the item would have to be listed on the meeting agenda by its ordinance number, and it was not. Other members of the board, including President Dave Anderson, also said the changes proposed Monday should be run by the developer, and then the revised version should be sent to trustees before they vote.

The agreement needs five of seven votes to pass. Normally, the village president only votes to cast a tie.

The village board meets March 4, but Schmidt will be on vacation.

As for the March 18 meeting, “I’ll be there, even if they have to carry me in on a stretcher,” Schmidt said.

Kane County Board member Drew Frasz, who represents the Elburn area and sits on the county board’s transportation committee, was asked if waiting three weeks would further jeopardize funding for the Anderson Road project. “Weeks, no. Months, yes,” he replied. Shodeen Inc. is unwilling to sell the necessary rights of way to the county unless Elburn approves the development.