In the race to control what could become prime commercial real estate at Illinois Highways 47 and 176, Crystal Lake has taken the lead by annexing about 461 acres, a move designed to cut off the Village of Lakewood from that intersection.
The annexation came hours after McHenry County Judge Michael Sullivan nullified Chicago developer Kenneth Rawson’s petition that would forcibly annex much of the same property to Lakewood.
However, Joseph Gottemoller, Rawson’s attorney, said he would file a motion within 30 days asking Sullivan to reconsider the case.
Sullivan voided the annexation to Lakewood because of a “glaring” technicality. Rawson notified only three of the five-member Woodstock Fire and Rescue District about his intention to have about 465 acres along Illinois 176 annexed to Lakewood.
“It’s not over yet,” Gottemoller said. “This could be a long haul. Filing a motion for reconsideration will give the judge a chance to fix anything in a case that may be looked at by a higher court. This is normal procedure and the first step in the appeal process.”
Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley said he considers the matter settled.
“I’m confident his ruling will withstand an appeal,” Shepley said. “As far as I’m concerned, the boundaries between Crystal Lake and Lakewood are set for once and all. I’ll be disappointed if Mr. Gottemoller and Mr. Rawson drag this out any longer.”
At the City Council meeting, Crystal Lake annexed a 443-acre parcel belonging to Gary Weiler and the 18-acre Mt. Thabor Cemetery.
Gottemoller earlier had delayed the annexation when he pointed out to the City Council that two registered voters were on record as living on Weiler’s property and had not signed the annexation petition.
Under state statute, 51 percent of registered voters living on a property must be in favor of an annexation. So the City Council tabled a vote until they heard from Weiler.
Before the council meeting, Weiler’s attorney, John F. Purtill, said all registered voters on the property had signed the petition. He said Gottemoller was wrong in his assertion to the council, but Purtill would not comment on the number of residents who live on the property or reveal their identities.
Weiler’s property and the cemetery joined four other parcels Crystal Lake annexed. Together the six properties add up to about 500 acres that will block Lakewood from the intersection.
All the land had been zoned for agriculture.
Upon annexation, they were rezoned for estate housing. The City Council waived annexation fees of $600 per acre.
