Are you kidding me? I am so disappointed in this decision. Who is running the show? Why is the leadership of Lake Zurich so fractured? I have watched the process of a plan for our downtown unfold for over 24 years. Many people have spent hours and hours coming up with ideas and paving the way. What is the problem? We have some dynamic, smart people as trustees; yet, as a group, you are totally incompetent! I look at downtown areas like Roselle, Elmhurst, Glen Ellyn, Wauconda...towns much older than ours. They have mananged to carve charming, vibrant downtowns and they are moving forward! Our high school was amoung the top ten in Lake County. Will future residents take a look at the villages of Lake Zurich, Barrington, Libertyville , Lake Forest and make comparisons? Wake up trustees! Listen to your residents...take a leap of faith and move forward with a planned downtown, not a bunch of individual pieces of property.

So let me get this straight. The parcels of land that the town made people move from, to "develope", are now going to the hight bidder? Where someone fought to keep their home is now a free for all? Wow.

Right on Dale Perrin, "Be bold, be daring." Right on Ginny, "...take a leap of Faith." Right on resident Dennis Abbott, "Choose David Smith..." Right on Terry Mastandrea and Jonathan Sprawka, "David Smith of Southshore’s plan was for rerouting Main Street and creating a gathering space with restaurants, and retail."

What the heck happened? Smith's plan would provide a reason for 18,000 EXISTING residents to visit downtown. And draw people from other communities too. Most of the other plans had a singular focus on building residential condo-units that would add 100 to 150 new residents. But little or no focus on retail or restaurants. The result would be those new residents would then drive to Deer Park or Wauconda or Kildeer or wherever to dine and shop like the rest of us already do.

Honestly folks. 100 to 150 new residents (alone) will do little to revitalize the downtown ... because those silly little numbers won't motivate a serious small business person (restaurant or retail) to sign a lease downtown and begin operations. No way. You need to think about a way to draw the existing 18,000 residents, and thousands from other communities, to the downtown. Often. And that takes something bold. Like Smith’s plan with serious restaurant/retail goals.

This is really sad … and embarrassing for this community. It seems there are personal agendas guiding the decisions and they are motivated by money. The Village will sell the land, a hand full of individuals (probably not LZ residents) will make money, and the “downtown” area of Lake Zurich will remain a depressing eye sore. It’s very sad.

Unbelievable! "We can't come to an agreement so we'll just give control to whomever has the most money." That's brilliant. I really hope that the trustees are not planning on serving anymore terms. This is the the best example of incompetence that I have ever seen. PLEASE, Lake Zurich citizens, do not let this happen without consequence.

This IS crazy! I've lived in LZ for 30 years and can't believe the condition of the down town area. We should model after those communities listed in the other post; there's always foot traffic. But I will tell you this, like it or not, trendy bars with good food will draw people; however because LZ has a historty of targeting patrons leaving a bar NO ONE will want to come. I live here and I won't drink in this town. They could put a Star Bucks down town, duh! That would draw people. It's not brain surgery; but appreaently some of the trustees could benefit from it!

Our village idiots (trustees) are incompetent and an embarrassment. They have had their time, now its time to run them ALL out and start again.

In the absence of leadership you get knuckleheaded decisions like this one. The developers were probably all relieved; after what they've already been put through by this board and the mayor, can you imagine what a disaster our elected officials would have made of a major development project?

My disappointment is difficult to express. I have lived here for 25 years, raising my family and participating in the community. To see such disregard for the job these trustees were elected to do is sinful. Is there a way to rescind this decision and get back to developing a vibrant downtown? I certainly hope so. Where's the new Village Administrator's advice on this?

Sounds like a case of too many cheifs and not enough Indians. Someone needs rise from the ashes like a phoenix and take charge of this ludicrous fool's errand. Take charge, delegate, execute. If you were my project managers, I would fire the lot of you.

Considering our mayor owns that bustling B&B in downtown LZ, you would think she would want to have some interesting and viable restaurants and shops in the downtown area. I can't imagine her $190/night guests taking a leisurely walk past the vacant storefronts to watch the game on a torn stool at Scoreboard, enjoy a dog served by the ever friendly counter help at Redd's, a Flavor-it treat (If it'open), wedging themselves into a booth at DiPiero's, or lunching at a wobbly Formica table over at The Koffee Kup. Our officials need to advocate for what is best for the CURRENT residents of the village (not the ones they hope to attract) and not throw in the towel because they are tired of trying to figure out what to do about it. Perhaps the village calls for volunteers for man a task force whose charge is to find viable businesses who could locate to the downtown area. Clearly Wauconda has been able to convince 1 or 2 establishments to take a leap of faith and take a chance on their town.

This is unbelievable!!! DON'T FORGET OUR TRUSTEES JUST HIRED A CONSULTANT TO GIVE THESE MORONS ADVICE ON WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN DOWNTOWN. Is there anyway we can petition some of these irresponsible individuals out of there positions??? I drive through downtown everyday, I am a resident, and completely disgusted at the way it looks and how this has been handled. How could this happen? I'd love to know how many of the people on the Village Board have Lake Rights? Seems like the people that either live on the lake or have lake rights have based their decision on protecting it! #GETTHEMOUTNOW!

Are you listening Lake Zurich "leaders"? I suggest that everyone who has commented on this post please discuss with neighbors and friends in Lake Zurich. Let's keep this discussion alive and make the "leaders" explain their actions. There needs to be some accountability. This is our money they have spent and are spending!!!

Speechless. This is a great example of lack of leadership as and entire village board. AND, Branding has to take some responsibility for not having paved the way for the right decision before it all happened in what sounds like a haphazard fashion. Sell the property to highest bidder? To do what with? Who knows? Maybe it stays vacant like the old Kmart, Blockbuster, lakefront corner 12 & Old Rand, and the list goes on. How does that add up to a 'revitalization' plan??

I am showing my age....but all I can think of is quote from a '70's movie, "Network"---
"All I know is that first you've got to get mad. You've got to say, .... My life has VALUE!' So I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell, 'I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!' I want you to get up right now, sit up, go to your windows, open them and stick your head out and yell - 'I'm as mad as hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Things have got to change. But first, you've gotta get mad!... You've got to say, 'I'm as mad as hell, and I'm not going to take this anymore!' Then we'll figure out what to do about the depression and the inflation and the oil crisis. But first get up out of your chairs, open the window, stick your head out, and yell, and say it: "I'M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!"

WE NEED TO SETUP A FACEBOOK SITE SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THEIR INCOMPETENCE. ONLY WAY WE WILL BRING IN THE MASSES. FOLLOWED UP BY A TWITTER ACCOUNT. NEED TO GO SOCIAL WITH THIS ONE. WAY TOO IMPORTANT! THE RESIDENTS NEED TO SHOW UP TO THE NEXT MEETING!

True bear but my belief is we have to organize first. They will just shut us down if we go to their meetings. We need to form a residents group and make them come to us. I come from a tiny rural town in the south with a thriving downtown. They gave residents low cost business loans to start shops downtown. They got residents together along with churches and boy and girl scouts to fix up buildings. We pay so many taxes in the north and require so little out of them.

I am one of 18,000 existing residents, and I will continue to spend lots of money at places like Arlington Heights downtown, The Glen, Lincolnshire and Deer Park. All of those places laugh all the way to the bank when they watch the incompetence of Lake Zurich leadership. The only good thing to happen to LZ in over ten years of living here has been Beelow's Steakhouse - wouldn't it have been nice to have that downtown?? But obviously the owner had to open it where it is at because our downtown is a total joke and embarrassment.

Along with the other 18,000 residents, we'll all continue to spend our money elsewhere. I hope all of these trustees know they will never get re-elected after this bozo move.

While it's fun to insult all of the Bozo's in Village Hall, remember that they are descended from a long line of clowns who have been wasting money for the past 15 years and have nothing to show for it but debt & more taxes on those who live here.
So many have claimed to be visionaries. They would have seen this train wreck coming if they really had good vision.
Don't blame them all. Some have tried to ask questions & be responsible. Those who ask questions are labeled obstructionists. No more Facebook rant pages, PULEEZE!! Show up at meetings & demand accountability.

This town is a joke, we lived here and moved here hoping for a great downtown area (look at Arlington Heights, Naperville, Barrington...) why couldn't someone follow suit? The whole board has no idea what they are doing and they should get more educated people to try and run the town, anything will be better than all of these fools. Can't wait until the lawsuits start coming for this land. HUGE DISSAPOINTMENT! People will be moving now as they look at this village and say look at this embarrasing town!

Disapointed, but I'm not surprised by thier actions. I went to several board meetings in support of David Smith as he brought his plans before the board, and I saw downright derision on the faces of a majority of the board members faces. When we vocally voiced our support we were chastised by Bob Vitas. David Smith has humbley gone before the board many times just to be shot down repeatedly. I agree, we should all go public with this and make this known to all Lake Zurich residents. Maybe we can start by showing up at the next board meeting.

Still angry over here. Made my first comment at 8:25 this morning. Now it's 7:35 p.m. and I'm still blown away by the failed leadership of Branding and all the trustees. Do we really need 6 trustees and a so-called president to do nothing? Suggest we scale that back to 2 trustees and a president. Would the results be any worse with 2? Not joking here. Imagine the savings.

JF, The Trustees are paid $3,000/year, the mayor makes $10,000/year and is the liquor commish.

Claudia failed to capture the story appropriately (typical for Patch, they like to sensationalize for their parent company, the Huffington Post). The board couldn't reach a consensus on proceeding with a developer, likely due to being burned in the past. The new path of declaring the property surplus will likely result in action much quicker than languishing through the red tape and secret agendas (mayor doesn't want condos or retail, just a cultural arts center). The property needs to be declared surplus prior to sale, which is a formal board action that still needs to take place. It isn't over.

If David Smith and ARDE have the money, the property will be available for them to purchase, thus triggering the revitalization of downtown Lake Zurich and getting the village out of the landlord business!!!!

Please attend the meetings to voice your opinion.

For those interested in running.
December 17-24, 2012 Filing period for candidates seeking election at the Consolidated Election, April 9,
2013. [10 ILCS 5/10-6(2)] (Petitions may NOT be circulated prior to September 25, 2012.) [10ILCS 5/10-4]

http://www.elections.il.gov/Downloads/ElectionInformation/PDF/2013CanGuide.pdf

What is the election schedule?

3C petitions should be a Village Hall in September, can't start circulating until the last week of September.

Trustee. Thanks for listening and clarifying. We're all obviously pissed at decades of inaction. I'd love to attend meetings, but I've got a house full of kids and a job that I'm desperate to keep. So making time is nearly impossible.

I'm just guessing here but I bet the majority of those in attendance at meetings are retired or semi-retired residents whose goals and lifestyle are different than mine. So this Patch site is my only way to communicate. Branding has failed at issuing regular newsletters to keep us informed by the way. A cheap solution would be to email the dang newsletters. But that takes vision and effort.

Anyway, my family and I have been frustrated for more than a decade that we can't enjoy the lakefront. So I go to Wauconda and spend my time and money in their downtown. Please tell me the trustees have been to Lindy's in Wauconda to see how it's done right? The place has something for everyone ... including right-on-the-lake dining and an area for little ones to play in the sand/lake, and a spot for moms and dads to enjoy a drink and admire the lake happenings and watch the kids. Not sure the retired and semi-retired folks in LZ think about the benefit / attraction of such things. And BullDogs ... wow. Note we go to Deer Park, Kildeer, and Palatine too. I don't want to be too harsh on the places downtown LZ. It must be rough. Let's just say they don't compare favorably to the other options in nearby towns.

Thanks TRUSTEE- who's up?

Branding, Halen, Sustich, Mastandrea, Sprawka

For those of you who would like to go to village board meetings, but can't afford the time, did you know you can watch the meetings online? Here is a link to the Aug. 20 meeting. http://www.volz.org/index.aspx?NID=260
The village also has a YouTube channel, although the Aug. 20 meeting is not on there yet.

For those interested in bashing, I suggest a few facts:
1. The media does not give you all the facts. Sometimes, they cover what happens in the meeting, not the background. Sometimes, they don't tell if your way or my way.
2. Those who wish to bash the board about ESG, might I remind you that Smith had 18 months to produce something yet had produced nothing. There's more to that story as well.
3. Surplussing the property is part of the mandated process to sell it. That does not necessarily mean cash price tag. It must be sold under a competitive bid process with a minimum selling price. Only after that can it go on the open market.
4. For those cynical about the return from a sale, I'd suggest any price would be better than the $10 per parcel (you read that right) that ESG could have paid.
5. This is not an answer or end to the issues. It's just refreshing to see someone say "Let's do something to stop wasting time and money."

Let the election begin!- Need four votes to get anywhere, so lets start with three trustee's - Are the trustee's by district or at large?

Trustees are elected At-Large, my 3¢.
Need a full slate of candidates, plus one 2-year term (Mastandrea is a full-in).
Caution - dispite criticism, there is a lot of work to do the job right.

Its time to put up or shut up!

Resident 225,
It is fair and accurate to say that ESG produced nothing in the 18 months.
It is refreshing that someone has insisted moving the whole TIF instead of one piece and that the law is finally being followed. It is also great to see Consultants' reports being followed (I agree, for a change). I'm not saying anybody has done a good job or that this is a solution.
The flaws in all of the proposals are too great to be addressed here. I don't believe in "doing something even if it's wrong" mentality. All of the developer propaganda is just that, including how they are going to be the financial savior. Pay attention to your tax bills & you will see that none will accomplish that.
I have been critical and vocal since the TIF began. That includes past and present administrations. I can show you the real facts with no emotions attached, so long as it was not a back-room deal.
It would be refreshing to see people at the board meetings, knowing the details of the matters and speaking intelligently on the subject. It would be nice to hear people ask for objectivity, rather than just lobbying for something.
It would be nice for someone to attend the meetings & know what happens. I get lonely!!

If anyone is considering running for office please have knowledge and a vision so that we don't waste more time. The downtown area doesn't need any more residential apartments or condos. We need retail, restaurants etc. It would be nice if the village invested in a ferry boat to offer rides on the lake that would attract people. All the vacant buildings need to be torn down already. Buy loosing control of the property - the downtown area will continue to look like shit so let's stop this sale from going through.

Jodie - One of the biggest reasons why we have what we have is because NOBODY votes!- This past March the voter turn out was 22% county wide- Lets assume that everybody who voted cast a ballot, either yes or no for the electricity smoke screen. The total number of votes was 2430. In the last census LZ has a 19,709 population, taking the ballots into consideration thats 12% of the pop. Yes I know that includes kids but its not even close- In all of ELA township 26,624 people voted which is close to the 22% of registered voters. These trustees walk right in... The whole downtown needs to be replatted. relocate street and get the Park District to pony up with some land and you have a shot at it.... Another reason nobody big is interested, permit costs, brain damage from building department and the police department. Take a look at the Dimucci property, 1.5 million PER YEAR will go to Lake Zurich schools with no additional students. Dont you think that will relieve the dependency on us? 70% of our tax;s goes to LZ95. Was there anybody at the hearings from LZ supporting it? I guess I was the only one. GET INVOLVED!

The Dimucci property just spreads the crap stores all over the area. I get the taxes, but revitalize downtown, yes-like Wauconda, Crystal Lake, ect... And people will want to LIVE here. The taxes we pay go to our very good schools. Its not all about money. Its about quality of life. Community.

So let me get this straight, the board has mis-managed the downtown revitalization & can't work together to get the project done, so now we are just going to give up and sell off the property so that it's somebody else's problem and we have no control over what they do with it ? That's not a development strategy that's a cop out. Get your heads out of your backsides and get together and make it work. There is absolutely no reason the board can't come to a consensus on a development plan which THEY requested, from one of 4 developers. If one of the plans needs some tweaking than do that, but get moving on improving Lake Zurich's downtown today! Everyone in this community wants to see Lake Zurich live up to it's potential, doesn't the board? If this were a private business, it would be out of business and the board members would all be looking for work!