The developer of Lake County’s largest-ever housing development presented Hawthorn School District 73 with a $1 million check Tuesday night.
An oversize facsimile of the check, presented to the district by longtime resident John Cuneo, the former owner of the property, represents impact fees owed the district. The check was the second $1 million impact fee payment made to the district in the past year.
The check was signed by Ed Zale of the Buffalo Grove-based Zale Builders, developer of the former Cuneo property between Butterfield and Milwaukee Roads.
With more than 2,100 homes planned for the development, named Gregg’s Landing, it is the largest housing development project in the history of Lake County.
Associate Supt. Jess Porres said the money will help reduce the impact the housing development will have on the new school system.
This year, District 73 is home to 3,200 students, and another 1,300 are expected over the next eight years.
Ground-breaking for the new junior high school is scheduled for the spring.
Cuneo told the board he remembered Hawthorn School when it had only two classrooms and two teachers.
“This shows all development isn’t bad,” said Cuneo.
