The villages of Lakewood and Huntley have come to an oral agreement on streets that will be involved in an upcoming 20-year boundary agreement between the two towns.
Lakewood Village Manager Michael Friesen announced Tuesday night a final agreement that would give Lakewood much-needed commercial frontage on Illinois Highways 47 and 176 is contingent only upon the language in the agreement. Lakewood’s only commercial taxes come from the RedTail Golf Course. The proposed boundaries would give Lakewood sole control over the development of the intersection of Illinois 47 and 176. The lines in the agreement would also give Lakewood all property east of Illinois 47 north of Conley Road and south of a point to be determined with Woodstock.
Additionally, Lakewood would have development rights over the property northwest of Illinois 176, and south of Illinois 176 between an intersection just north of Ballard Road and bordered by Dean Street on the east. Lakewood would also gain control over a small parcel on the west side of Illinois 47 between Conley Road and a point halfway between Ballard Road and Union/Foster Road.
Friesen and Huntley Village Manager Carl Tomaso have been working on a boundary agreement the past several weeks. The discussions intensified in the wake of a recent court decision that gave the City of Crystal Lake the authority to annex land near Illinois 47 that Lakewood had been counting on for a commercial tax base.
“The Village of Huntley recognized and appreciated our need for a commercial tax base and have been very generous,” Lakewood Trustee Julie Richardson said. “It’s wonderful to know that there are municipalities out there willing to work toward the betterment of the entire area.”
Richardson also said the actual drawing of the boundary lines is the most difficult part of any boundary agreement. “The hard part is done,” she said. “The rest of the agreement should fall nicely into place, and with any luck we should have a signed agreement in place before the end of the year.”
