Indicating their desire to save a 100-acre parcel of farm land as the potential site of a courthouse or other county facility, Lake County Board members have voted unanimously to direct Libertyville Township officials to remove the site from their Open Space District Plan.
“We’ve had that land since 1850, and I think the tradition of us using it should continue,” said board Chairman Robert L. Grever (R-Kildeer), who proposed a resolution on the matter be sent to township officials before the township holds a public hearing on the Open Space District Plan this month.
“We would be negligent if we didn’t protect that land,” said board member Carol Calabresa (R-Libertyville), a former member of the township board that created Libertyville Township’s Open Space District in 1985. “We know we’re going to need that land for future expansions.”
About 70 acres of the 100-acre farm field recently were included in a controversial proposal that targets an estimated 1,000 acres of land for purchase by Libertyville Township’s Open Space District.
The plan, which will be discussed at a public hearing Thursday, has drawn opposition not only from the County Board but also from officials of St. Mary of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein, a 900-acre site also on the township’s wish list.
The township recently received a letter from officials of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago asking that the parcel, which includes Pine Meadows Golf Club, be removed from the Open Space District Plan. Under state law, landowners who do not wish to be listed on such land-acquisition plans can ask to be removed from consideration.
Several residents, including members of the Association of Libertyville Township Property Owners, headed by local businessmen Jack L. Martin and Patrick Connors, have threatened to sue if the township proceeds with its plan.
Members of the group, which acquired a legal opinion to support its claim, say the township would need to hold a referendum on the proposed land purchases to borrow more than $2.6 million through the sale of general obligation bonds.
“If they have such a wonderful plan, they shouldn’t be afraid to ask the public to endorse it,” Martin said.
The Open Space District Plan calls for borrowing up to $43 million for land purchases. Township officials say the money could be borrowed without raising property taxes, but Martin and other local residents disagree.
In 1985, the township borrowed about $22 million for the purchase of 1,400 acres of open space, part of the reason the average Libertyville Township taxpayer already is paying $200 a year for the Open Space District.
Township Supervisor F.T. “Mike” Graham, who for years has been considered the founder of the open-space movement in Lake County because of his anti-development politics, said he was not surprised his land-acquisition plan had opposition.
“When you’re pioneering a movement, you don’t ever expect a completely smooth ride,” said Graham, adding township lawyers have advised him that a referendum would not be needed to borrow money for the Open Space District.
But Graham said he was “shocked” that Calabresa and other pro-environment board members would try to block the township from acquiring the county’s farm parcel.
“I would guess there’s going to be some mighty angry parents,” Graham said, noting the township wanted to convert the county-owned land into soccer and baseball fields.
Graham said he believed the County Board might change its position if a new board chairman is installed after the November general election.
