Tax District Eyed In La Grange

LA GRANGE, IL — The La Grange Village Board is looking to set up a special taxing district for the new Mason Pointe subdivision. Officials said this would not create any liability for taxpayers at large.

The village's taxing authority only would be used in the "unlikely event" that the homeowners association fails to fulfill its maintenance obligations, according to a village report. The development would include roads, landscaping, walking paths, and sanitary and storm sewers.

During a public hearing on Monday, La Grange resident Don Johnston asked the board, "There is no way we would be stiffed in the process?"

Charity Jones, the village's community development director, said that could not happen.

Under the development agreement with La Grange, the village is allowed to levy a tax to maintain a $50,000 balance in the account for the taxing district, known formally as a special service area. However, M/I Homes, Mason Pointe's owner, has chosen to cover the initial $50,000.

Village Trustee Beth Augustine asked why the company would provide the money, which she said "seems great."

Village attorney Mark Burkland said his guess was that M/I Homes wanted to reassure prospective homebuyers that they would not be immediately taxed.

The village board is expected to vote on the special taxing district at a later meeting.

Last year, the village board approved the development, which is at 443 Ashley Ave., north of 47th Street between Ninth and Bluff avenues. According to M/I's website, the subdivision will consist of 12 buildings, with a total of 58 townhomes available. It will also include 12 single-family homes.

The website said prices of homes start at $391,990. The median price of housing units in La Grange was $480,000 in 2018, according to the U.S. Census.

At Monday's meeting, Village President Tom Livingston called the Mason Pointe project important for La Grange. Information on the special taxing district is included in the village board's agenda packet.