A planning consultant has an idea to spare an ecologically important area along Illinois Highway 47 from a fate of sprawling strip malls and huge residential developments as growth pushes outward in McHenry County.
A report by Conservation Design Forum consultants suggests that an alternative to unchecked sprawl along a stretch of the Kishwaukee River watershed would be to build 10 self-sufficient villages of 10,000 people each, blending growth with preservation in a way that could redefine suburbia.
The findings are being shown to county and village officials along Illinois 47. Lakewood village trustees will see the plans Tuesday night. The hope is that municipalities might incorporate the suggestions into their comprehensive plans.
It would take a level of political cooperation unusual among communities that usually compete for the tax dollars and jobs that growth can spur.
The first step was taken two years ago, when Lakewood, Lake in the Hills and Woodstock asked the consultants to help them avoid the uncontrolled development that usually results from sprawl. The study was funded with federal highway money and contributions from the municipalities, the county, the state and the county Conservation District.
The Elmhurst-based consultants concentrated on 8 miles of Illinois 47 between Huntley and Woodstock. That relatively undeveloped corridor is dotted with wetlands and other habitats of the Kishwaukee River watershed, one of the state’s most pristine water systems.
But the consultants’ report shows that the communities’ long-range plans paint a future that looks like Randall Road as it runs through Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills.
Another 100,000 people would join the 40,000 living there, and more than 35 million square feet of commercial, industrial and office space would be developed–all crammed hodgepodge into 53 square miles.
“You’re going to see a lot of `Wal-Mart-y’ type development along Route 47,” said Charles McGhee Hassrick, a consultant who studied the land-use plans.
“Everything that’s out there is going to be covered.”
The area contains about 2,250 acres of high-quality wetlands that are home to threatened and endangered species of plants and animals. Wetlands also store and filter storm water, helping replenish the groundwater supplies that the county depends on.
The consultants have begun showing officials and residents how they can accommodate growth without damaging the natural areas or contributing to the gridlock of the far northwest suburbs.
Part of the idea is to create “conservation villages.” Instead of growth sprawling outward, it would be concentrated where the least harm would be done to natural areas.
“You’d have stores you can walk to,” said Melinda Perrin, executive director of the Conservation Research Institute, which is affiliated with the Conservation Design Forum.
“You’d have schools you can walk to, and churches you can walk to.”
Such concentrations also would reduce traffic by minimizing the need to drive everywhere. It also would make bus and light rail service among the communities more realistic.
“I don’t think we’re necessarily too late,” McGhee Hassrick said. “But we’re getting there.”
He said his firm hopes to have its final report ready this summer.
Becki Clayborn, membership coordinator for the McHenry County Defenders, said the environmental group thinks it is a good plan. Although it is not involved in developing the plan, she said the group has been monitoring the plan’s progress.
The study has been shown to officials of the County Board and in Lake in the Hills. A presentation will be made to Woodstock officials next week.
