Lemont Officials React to Palos Park Annexation Plan

Facing an aggressive annexation plan from Palos Park, the Lemont Village Board will work with property owners in unincorporated Lemont to rezone two parcels of undeveloped land at the corner of McCarthy and Bell roads.

At their Committee of the Whole meeting Monday night, the village board agreed to rezone a 22.5-acre parcel at the northwest corner of McCarthy and Bell roads to R-1 (single-family homes), with a 1.5 acre portion for B-3 (commercial). They will also allow an 8.7-acre parcel at the southwest corner of the intersection to be rezoned from R-1-A (single home) to B-3 (commercial).

While other building and zoning regulations would apply, the board allowed an exception for two drive-throughs on the B-3 portion. They also agreed not to pursue changing the new zoning status for 10 years.

"We don't like to annex and rezone to B-3, but we have historically done it at times if it's near our borders," Trustee Ron Stapleton said.

Though none of the board members were eager to have the currently vacant properties become commercial, Mayor Brian Reaves indicated that it would be necessary in order to protect the village's neighboring properties from an aggressive annexation plan by Palos Park. Officials in that village, located just west of Lemont, announced they would be considering Thursday the annexation and rezoning of Mid-Iron Golf Club into a commercial property.

Reaves said that although he has been in regular contact with Palos Park Mayor John Mahoney, he was never given an indication of these plans until last week. Since then, Reaves said Lemont officials have learned of long-term plans by Palos Park to annex more than 2,000 acres of property in unincorporated Lemont in order to increase their sales tax base and gain access to major transportation routes.

This plan encompasses property extending from McCarthy and Bell roads all the way to Archer Avenue, and includes Gleneagles Golf Club and Cog Hill.

The mayor said working with Palos Park on the matter was no longer an option.

"When you have an aggressive threat from a neighboring community that has no interest in making a boundary agreement ... to me that's an aggressive threat," Reaves said.

No vote was taken at the meeting, but all the parties agreed to move forward with the rezoning and annexation process and will formally vote on the matter at their meeting next Monday. Trustee Paul Chialdikas asked the committee to consider postponing a decision, but Reaves and other members felt that urgent action was needed to keep the property in Lemont and to protect the village's boundaries.

"If Palos annexes this property, we will still have to deal with all the traffic and public safety issues, but will not get the sales tax benefit," said Jim Brown, director of planning and economic development for the village. "This way, we still retain control over site plans, landscaping and all other building matters."

Preliminary engineering plans are already under way to widen Bell Road to five lanes from the Home Depot area, past the property in question, to Archer Avenue.

"I believe that the road widening will alleviate any traffic or safety concerns," said Lemont Township Supervisor Steve Rosendahl.

The property owners said they do not have any immediate development plans. However, within the next five to ten years they envision a residential development similar to Kensington Estates with somewhat smaller homes.

Their vision for the commercial portion of the property would be one to three buildings of neighborhood retail development with a focal point such as a pond. They did not feel that the size and location of the property would be conducive to a "big box" retailer such as the Menards and Home Depot south of the parcel.

"It is extremely important to us to work outside the box and find some ways to work together to see that these areas stay in town," Reaves said. "We look forward to meeting the needs of everyone in and around this area."