Village planners met with opposition last week when the owners of a 9-acre unincorporated farm objected to annexation proceedings because of anticipated zoning restrictions.
The small farm is the only remaining gap that prevents Tinley Park from completing all boundary issues on the west side of La Grange Road. It links the property to a surrounding 46 acres of undeveloped land already within the town’s limits.
By annexing the property, planners hope to attract entrepreneurs to this difficult-to-develop tract on the edge of Cook County. Proximity to Will County, which offers a 50 percent lower rate of property tax, makes this area less attractive to developers, officials say.
Nancy Laudando, speaking on behalf of her father Don Hackel of Palos Park, noted that Cook County designated the area as a future B2 business district, which allows a broader variety of uses than is acceptable even in Tinley Park’s most broad B3 business zoning.
“I want to protect the uses of my property . . . We ask that you defer annexation until we’re ready for development,” she said.
Village officials pointed out that annexation would be at no cost to the property owner.
In a similar circumstance, plans for the creation of a 150-acre tax increment finance district on the west side of Oak Park Avenue adjacent to the Interstate Highway 80 corridor for business development, are scheduled for a joint meeting of the review board at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 18 at Village Hall.
