The village of Sugar Grove is considering a petition filed by Crown Community Development requesting de-annexation from the village.
Crown Community Development is the company behind the controversial mixed-use development eying the opportunity to build near the interchange at Route 47 and Interstate 88.
“We did receive that letter from Crown requesting de-annexation,” Village President Sean Michels said.
The new development was discussed at Tuesday’s meeting of the Sugar Grove Village Board of Trustees.
Under state statute, the village must allow the petition to remain on file for 30 days before the village can take action, officials said.
It remains unclear when the village board will give consideration to Crown’s request.
Michels said action must be taken at a future date no sooner than 30 days after the petition is received.
Currently, there is no boundary line agreement in place between Sugar Grove and Elburn. Officials with the village of Elburn are still in the process of updating their comprehensive land use plan.
“The village is certainly exploring every option available to it, is aware of what the precedent is, and is trying to do very carefully and cautiously what is the best interest of the village and all its residents,” Village Attorney Laura Julien said.
Mallard Point drainage update
Also at the meeting, the village board was briefed on efforts to improve Mallard Point drainage issues.
Staff has been in contact with the occupants of 11 of out the 12 impacted homes, which are located in Brookhaven Circle, Mallard Lane and Brookhaven Court, to observe sump pump levels.
Director of Public Works Anthony Speciale said they need to further investigate, and staff will provide recommendations to the village board at a later date.
Priority capital projects list reviewed
Village Administrator Brent Eichelberger presented the latest priority capital projects list for the village board to review.
Among the items outlined are Sugar Grove Parkway and Park Avenue signalization, Prairie Street and Sugar Grove Parkway realignment and signalization, a new public road accessing Route 47 midway between U.S. Route 30 and Galena Boulevard, and Metra commuter rail extension.
“This really is to some degree a wish list,” Eichelberger said.
Eichelberger said the roads are listed according to cost, not priority. He wanted to be clear that none of the items are budgeted, and there are no funding sources available yet to pay for the projects.
The list was last updated in April 2019, according to village board documents.
“The main that thing we use it for is when we certainly take a look at it when budgeting, but probably the main thing is if there are grant opportunities to see if something on this list fits whatever grant opportunity there may be,” Eichelberger said. “Occasionally, we will become aware of a potential grant opportunity where we literally have only 24 hours to respond. If we don’t have working list to see if something fits, it literally is a scramble.”
Route 47 improvements discussed
Michels provided an update to the village board about the status of the Phase II contract to widen Route 47 between Sugar Grove and Yorkville.
He said the project is awaiting signature from officials in Springfield.
“It’s exciting because it’s moving that project forward,” Michels said. “It’s only taken them 6 to 9 months to get this contract signed. It’s still not signed, but at least it’s headed in the right direction.”
Phase I of the project was completed in July 2019, officials said. Phase II work consists of right-of-way acquisition and detailed plans.
“It’s supposed to be a two-year project,” Michels said. “You’re going to have construction and that’ll probably take 2 to 3 years. So, I think we’re looking at 2024 or 2025 by the time it’s done.”