Lemont Swats Away Palos Park's Objections to New Subdivision

Lemont trustees last week moved forward with a subdivision of 34 single family homes at 121st and Bell Road, despite objections by attorneys for the Village of Palos Park.

Equestrian Meadows is set to be built on 15.8 acres at 12150 Bell Road, with development to begin in the spring. The board’s action drew heated criticism from attorneys for the Village of Palos Park, who said they would pursue legal action against Lemont.

That didn’t stop trustees from approving the preliminary plans and special use. Mayor Brian Reaves had barely spoken the ordinance before receiving a first and second motion from trustees.

At the center of the municipal sparring is Palos Park’s annexation of nearby Cook Country Forest Preserve land, which edges it closer to other Lemont Township land including Ludwig family farm and the Mid-Iron golf driving range. In return for the land, Palos Park will provide water and sewer services to a Forest Preserve District police substation there.

Though disappointed to have lost the battle over the annexation in October, Reaves and Lemont officials are moving ahead with plans of their own for neighboring land.

The acreage upon which Equestrian Meadows will be built was previously annexed by the Village several years ago, Reaves said. Palos Park officials are now challenging Lemont’s old annexations of land along McCarthy Road.

“These individuals were contacted by the Village of Palos Park, and they want to be in the Village of Lemont,” said Mayor Brian Reaves. “They have always wanted to be, and don’t want to be anywhere other than the Village of Lemont.”

Palos Park this week pushed ahead with the formal approval of an annexation agreement to take in 190 acres southeast of McCarthy and Bell roads. While the annexation doesn’t give the village control of the land or rezoning/building permission, it does enable the municipality to provide water and sewer service to a Forest Preserve District police substation there. Palos Park needed to annex the property to give it the link needed to bring the golf courses and other properties into the village.

Citing their desire for Lake Michigan water, the landowners asked to be annexed into Palos Park, Village Manager Rick Boehm said, a process that will begin next year with the drafting of formal annexation agreements.

Meanwhile, Lemont will provide Lake Michigan water and sewer services for homeowners in the future Equestrian Meadows. Pending state approval and weather, the water line could be in place as soon as Jan. 1, said Lemont Public Works Director Ralph Pukula.