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Long Grove takes in more land, ready to grow by 60 houses

Long Grove is expected to approve the second of two development proposals that'll result in a combined 60 new homes on the village's southern boundary.

Village board members on Feb. 13 will formally consider the 34-home Karen's Corner subdivision planned by Fidelity Wes Builders Inc. of Long Grove. Last week, the board voted to annex 26 acres west of Old Hicks and Checker roads in unincorporated Lake County so the entire project can be built within Long Grove's borders.

With the 34 houses from Karen's Corner and another 26 approved for Swanson Development's Deer Trail subdivision just to the north, that means Long Grove is about to get 60 new homes. In December, Long Grove trustees voted to expand by 38 acres west of Checker and Old Hicks to accommodate Deer Trail.

Village President Bill Jacob complimented Lake Forest-based Swanson and Fidelity Wes for collaborating on the projects. Long Grove took in a combined 64 acres for the two subdivisions.

"Since these projects could have been developed in the county, incorporating them enables Long Grove to have oversight and influence over the final product," Jacob said. "The developers, in return, benefit from the Long Grove address for their prospective customers."

By developing in Long Grove, the builders can tap into the Lake County sanitary sewer system, Jacob added.

Fidelity Wes' preliminary plan calls for the 34 houses on 35 acres. Fidelity Wes co-owner Michael DeMar said the average home should be about 3,200 square feet with two stories and a three-car garage, roughly costing $550,000.

Route 53 dead-ends at Lake-Cook Road near a Menards store on the border of Karen's Corner. DeMar said if Route 53 were ever to be extended north - an idea that dates to the 1960s - a potential alternative plan could place it through the subdivision.

"It's a concern," DeMar said Thursday. "If somebody thinks 53 is going to go through, then (Karen's Corner) is not for them."

Deer Trail will have 26 clustered homes as part of a conservation development, with nearly 24 acres of the 38 acres left as open space. Homes will be 2,800 to 4,500 square feet.

Long Grove getting 26 homes on south end of village

  Fidelity Wes Builders Inc. of Long Grove plans to construct 34 houses east of the former Geimer Greenhouse property in the village. Bob Susnjara/bsusnjara@dailyherald.com
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