Boss Schock: “we’re squeezing places like this”
January 18th, 2008The Elgin Courier News reported this week that Elgin mayor Ed Schock wants to build homes on the Villa Olivia site. This isn’t really new news, but I think he’s making a stronger statement about it than he has previously.
I don’t think building homes there is a good idea. Golf courses represent a kind of open space, and whether this plot remains a golf course or is acquired by the forest preserve district or the city of Bartlett for a park or something, I think it should remain open space. It’s even more troubling to me, that the city is planning on building homes atop Rolling Knolls golf course, which is a nice and challenging course, and again, represents an attractive open space.
If everything goes as the mayor plans, the east side of Elgin will be bereft of golf courses.
The mayor talks about how these privately-owned golf courses are no longer viable:
“The golf course is not viable anymore. One of the reasons they’re getting out of the business is because it’s not a money maker anymore,” he said. “Bartlett built a new municipal golf course, Elgin built a new municipal golf course; we’re squeezing places like this.”
At least the mayor recognizes that his state-owned enterprises are harming the area’s small businesses. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to see anything wrong with that.
Apparently the City Council will be considering annexation of Villa Olivia this week. Evidently the Council has everything in Elgin in such tip-top shape that it can be looking for new worlds to conquer. At least, unlike the State Hospital land, there don’t seem to be plans to populate Villa Olivia with more industrial warehouses and the peon “jobs” they provide. It looks like the idea is to put up more homes for folks left out of the housing market by the hot demand for all those townhomes downtown.
Posted April 8th, 2008 at 2:31 pmWill King Shock and his minions never learn! How is this behavior (annexing land already under the jurisdiction of another municipality) legal? We already know its not ethical or moral! Too bad the decisions of the Elgin Planning Board are irrelevant (they already voted against).
The City can’t provide adequate basic services for its current residents, so they think it can add more???
Apparently its all about King Shock and what he wants! Just look at the Channing Square development - the neighborhood doesn’t want it, the Planning Commission denied it, but there sits a great big mud hole full of junk!
Posted April 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pmWell, King Shock and his minions are moving forward!
On Wednesday (4/23/08), Elgin City Council Members are expected to decide whether to approve annexation of Villa Olivia Country Club in Bartlett.
TOP 5 REASONS TO VOTE NO
#5 LACK OF MARKET: “Average base prices are $406,990 for the four bedroom single family homes, $265,990 for a two bedroom townhome unit, and $285,990.” Doesn’t Elgin have enough unsold new residential development already? No one is buying the new downtown projects - just drive up State St. some night and see all the dark windows across the river! Is anyone even considering the state of the existing homes-for-sale market?
#4 VIOLATES Current Residential Zoning Standards: The city staff recommendation also states “A planned development may be granted certain departures from the normal standards, regulations, requirements, and procedures of the Elgin Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision regulations.” And “The subject property is not suitable for the intended zoning district with respect to the Comprehensive Plan Standard.” Why do they need any departs from zoning regulations? Simple - the Developer wants to make even more $$$, and he doesn’t care what the ramifications are - he doesn’t live here!
#3 VIOLATES Comprehensive Plan: The city’s own staff finds that “The subject property is not suitable for the intended zoning district with respect to the Comprehensive Plan Standard.”
#2 COST TO ELGIN RESIDENTS:
“The net annual negative fiscal impact to the City going forward from 2014 is projected to range from ($63,718) to ($67,544). Cumulative losses in the form of per capita service costs are estimated at ($1,151,623). Therefore, the development never achieves a positive fiscal impact on the City over the life of the study.” Not to mention the City’s legal fees to annex the property.
#1 ELGIN PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED NO to the plan! Why do we bother with zoning laws and all the commissions and public meetings if the Mayor arbitrarily makes these decisions? And let’s not forget that the Federal Court already upheld their existing contract with the City of Bartlett.
If you DO NOT believe this is an appropriate action for the City of Elgin and its taxpaying residents - and we all know that the Police and Public Works are struggling to support the current population adequately - then email (or phone) City Council and tell them to “Just Say No”!
Here are the e-mail addresses of city council:
City Council:
Posted April 22nd, 2008 at 12:08 pmjfigueroa2343@yahoo.com, easchock@yahoo.com, jsteffen3@covad.net, jnwalters@sbcglobal.net, redlands@wowway.com, gilliam_r@cityofelgin.org, dskaptain@wowway.com, eltic2461@aol.com, mp@justclickthru.com
Thanks, Julie.
The public hearing is tonight, so anybody who has something to say can show up at city hall at 7pm.
Posted April 23rd, 2008 at 3:28 pmI came back from the meeting about an hour and a half ago; the motion was tabled to the next regular meeting at 7 p.m. on May 14.
Posted April 23rd, 2008 at 11:21 pmThanks, Brendan.
Here’s the Courier story and the Herald story for those who want to read up some on this.
Posted April 29th, 2008 at 12:07 pm