Concerns Over Fairness Delay Decision on Dimucci Property

The Lake County Regional Planning Commission met Monday night at Concorde Banquets in Kildeer with the intention of debating proposed rezoning of the Dimucci property and making a recommendation. However, the commission delayed the decision until July, due to concerns that not all interested parties were fairly represented.

The June 25 meeting was to be the final in a trio of meetings, which also included a June 7 presentation by the Lake County Planning, Building and Development Department with the developer of the Dimucci property, which is at the southeast corner of Route 12 and Old McHenry Road, as well as a .

However, Lake County Regional Planning Commissioner Lorraine Ray asked committee members to consider postponing the meeting because Hawthorn Woods and North Barrington officials were not notified that they would have the opportunity to address the commission. Ray noted that it was apparent that the Dimucci developers were aware that they would have the opportunity to answer Lake County Regional Planning Commission members' questions.

"I think it is an abuse of the process, since the villages were not given notice. The Dimuccis were told we would be asking questions. I think it is an issue of fairness," she said. "I feel strongly that this should be a fair and open hearing and it isn't that way."

Hawthorn Woods and North Barrington officials oppose the plan, saying it ignores those two villages’ intergovernmental agreement regarding the property.

During discussion over whether to reschedule the meeting, Commissioner Jordan Madorsky said he felt the process had been "choreographed" by all parties concerned. 

Commissioner Marie Lyons made a motion to postpone the meeting, which was approved by all present except Chairman Marvin Raymond and Vice Chairman Craig Ellison.

The meeting will be rescheduled to a date in early July, said Eric Waggoner, director of Lake County Planning, Building and Development.

Waggoner explained the process for the discussion at the beginning of the meeting.

He said the Lake County Regional Planning Commission’s role is to provide a regional perspective when a development plan is inconsistent with the Lake County Framework Plan.

He said the Lake County Regional Planning Commission is tasked with answering three questions.

1. Is there a commercial trend of development along Route 12?
2. Is there commercial infrastructure available to this site?
3. Is the developer’s proposal compatible with the surrounding area?

Waggoner said the Lake County Regional Planning Commission will deliberate three things -- rezoning of the property from estate to commercial, a conditional use permit, and a planned-unit development for the 108-acre site.

After the Lake County Regional Planning Commission’s recommendation, the proposal would move on to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Waggoner said the Zoning Board of Appeals would also conduct public hearings and there would be an opportunity to address concerns over impact of the proposal. The Zoning Board of Appeals would make a recommendation and the Planning Building and Zoning Committee would conduct a detailed review. The proposal then would go before the Lake County Board for a final decision.