The Village Board has forwarded to the Planning Commission with no recommendation a proposal to build a new Kohl’s store and three restaurants on 26 acres along Rand Road.
The board made its decision early this week despite objections from North Barrington and Lake Zurich residents.
Developer Richard Brooks, of the Ryan Co. in Minneapolis, told the board the project would leave 15 acres, or 52 percent of the land, as open space. Brooks said developing the land also could help solve drainage problems that have plagued the area near Clover Hill Lane for years. Some local residents were not convinced.
“The land can’t handle (the flooding) that is there now, so I don’t believe they can solve it,” said North Barrington resident Zeke Ackert, who lives near the proposed site. Ackert said he is also concerned about more traffic and lights.
North Barrington resident Janis Menges presented a petition to the board with 90 signatures of Lake Zurich residents opposed to the proposal.
Mayor Jim Krischke said forwarding the project to the Planning Commission does not constitute a final judgment.
He added: “We haven’t seen anything finalized yet, so how can we say if it is good or bad?”
