Key Kane Co. Panel Won’t Recommend Luxury Drug Treatment Facility

The Kane County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 3-3 on Tuesday night on whether to recommend a controversial alcohol and drug treatment center, which is proposed to be built at the former Glenwood School near Campton Hills.

The proposal from Maxxam Partners needed five “yes” votes from the key Kane County panel Tuesday to receive a recommendation to the full county board, according to the Daily Herald. The Kane County Board will have the final say on whether to move forward with the plan.

Maxxam Partners LLC is seeking a conditional use permit to turn the former Glenwood School for Boys, 41W400 Silver Glen Road in Campton Township into a private pay alcohol and substance abuse treatment center.

The proposed facility has gotten a lot of flack from residents living in the area who fear it could put the community at risk, may overburden the area's current emergency services and could hurt property values, the Daily Herald reports.

Zoning board member Ann Michalsen was among the three members Tuesday to cast a dissenting vote, according to the Kane County Chronicle. She said a main deciding factor for her was how Steven Marco, a principal of Maxxam Partners, handled testimony by responding with “no comment” to many questions brought by the public.

“He chose to say ‘no comment’ to every member of the public,” Michalsen said. “He said he wanted to be a good neighbor, but did not want to talk to the neighbors. … I think you do have to separate the petition somewhat from the petitioner. It does go to credibility.”

The proposal will next head to the county board's Development Committee on March 21 and then to the full county board on April 11.

More via the Kane County Chronicle and the Daily Herald

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