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Lake Zurich board to address business-friendly proposal

Lake Zurich village trustees are expected to decide whether to remove one hurdle for some development proposals to clear before entering the official approval process.

Trustees are expected to vote Tuesday, Sept. 6, on whether to eliminate the courtesy review, a business-friendly idea recommended by the planning and zoning commission. Community Development Director Sarosh Saher said elimination of the courtesy review could save developers two to four weeks if they start with the planning and zoning commission.

Currently, new projects or expanding businesses that need a change in Lake Zurich's zoning code or map must appear before the village board for a courtesy review of what's proposed. That early feedback can be incorporated into proposals before officially starting the village approval process with the advisory planning and zoning commission for a public hearing.

Saher wrote in his recommendation that making the courtesy review optional would be consistent with promoting the village's desire to be business-friendly.

However, Trustee Jeffrey Halen said he's concerned some significant projects would not receive early public scrutiny if the courtesy review requirement ends. For example, he said, the village would not have been obligated to hold the January courtesy review of a plan to redevelop the site of a long-vacant Kmart off Rand Road.

Speaking at a recent planning and zoning commission meeting, Halen said the village would reduce its level of openness with residents by eliminating the courtesy review requirement. He also said it's not the village's job to help developers meet deadlines to appear business-friendly.

"This is about what the village wants, what the community wants, what we think is going to make us a viable town, not just for us but for future generations," Halen said.

Planning and zoning commission Chairman Orlando Stratman said Lake Zurich government has made "huge gains" in transparency and that wouldn't be negated by making the courtesy review optional for developers. He said his panel would continue the same work of reviewing proposals and issuing recommendations to the village board.

"I want to support the (village) staff," Stratman said. "I appreciate the hard work they do and the communication they have with the developers coming in."

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