Homer Township looking to sell two farmhouses bought for open space

Homer Township officials wish for toward sell pair farms such were purchased in similar fashion portion from the township’s open space initiative for support fund a event center, however some residents state they wish for to fight for preserve open lands.

Township supervisor Steve Balich stated certain township had the ability earn regarding $4 million out of each sale of certain Purdy along with Paul farms. Each city council voted 5-0 on Monday up to authorize the sales.

Any Purdy Farm, each 86-acre open space by a corner belonging to Gougar plus Bruce Roads, was certain primary property each Township purchased below for it open space program. The Paul Farm is some 56 acre site located on certain south side out of 151st Street amid Gougar along with Farrell Roads.

Balich mentioned certain township can sell the ground below Illinois condition statutes, as well as a sale price the township could receive could distant exceed any revenue itself should acquire via leasing something up to farmers. Proceeds since each sale made from any properties might facilitate fund an event center by a Trantina Farm within any 15700 block made from West 151st Street, which is another property among any township’s open space program, Balich mentioned.

Each event center was able to provide accommodations for weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, family reunions, block parties or festivals, Balich stated. Groups like as Boy Scouts along with Girl Scouts otherwise 4-H clubs was able to also employ any center, gentleman said.

Balich pointed for single successful consultative referendum among 2020 who asked whether any township shall seek grants up to construct a multipurpose pole barn-style structure for community educational, environmental, recreational along with social activities.

Balich declared he won’t raise taxes toward fund each center, also a township is among each early stages made from working with per landscape architect for design the project. Certain event center could hold parking for nearby 1,000 cars, Balich stated.

“It’s going for be a really welcoming also nice location,” he declared.

Some residents, however, possess replied they plan up to fight the sale belonging to the pair farms, which goes against certain spirit belonging to any open space program that residents approved among per referendum extra as opposed to 20 years ago.

In April 1999, Homer Township voters voted in order to issue $8 million within bonds up to purchase areas across certain township in similar fashion segment from of it open space plan. Regarding 65% out of residents approved each bond sale, whichever ultimately purchased around 200 acres of earth, including Paul, Purdy, Welter and Trantina farms. Numerous made from these areas continue to be cultivated.

Township documents starting at 1998 indicated whatever the open space could become leased to farmers toward promote soil conservation. Certain open space program could too promote public outdoor recreation of this kind in similar fashion a construction belonging to one gazebo either park for concerts, each construction belonging to bicycle and equestrian paths, certain development made from per sports complex or any expansion of any park. Some earth would remain within its own natural explain for preserve flora as well as fauna, historic sites or scientific interests, according in order to certain documents.

Any open space program is as well used for promote orderly suburban development using the township’s soil utilize plan as per guide.

Earlier here twelve months, residents opposed the township’s plan in order to sell each Welter Farm property simply west belonging to Bell Road up to single developer in order to create a housing project for the elderly. Balich stated Welter Farm earth is zoned residential, whereas Purdy as well as Paul farms are zoned for agriculture. Any Welter Farm senior housing development was eventually abandoned.

Resident Sharon Sweas, a former administrator belonging to Homer Glen, stated residents relocate for Homer Township for for it rural feel along with for something is unlike another suburbs. Preserving open space is important up to certain community, along with element made from a reasons residents approved of each referendum was to prevent overdevelopment.

“I am totally against certain sale out of the ones mentioned properties,” girl stated. “Is something regarding money or is object around preserving each neighborhood for current also future residents? Entity required to be preserved. I don’t crave to lose a beauty of nature along with everything who goes with something.

A earth performs not belong up to any township council, yet toward any population out of any township, said former Homer Glen administrator Margaret Sabo, what person served on certain township’s open space committee for additional more than 20 years.

“It’s terribly wrong,” Sabo mentioned. “Residents own paid for the ones mentioned properties. They voted to buy any properties. Aforementioned are a population whom possess a properties.

Sabo stated certain proposal in order to sell certain two farms was by no means transparent. The town council possesses by no means held public hearings either community workshops for gauge residents’ interest, she stated.

Gail Snyder, what person was appointed toward any earliest Homer Glen village board later the area was incorporated within 2001, declared any sale would proceed against voters’ intent.

Snyder, whom helped push the referendum using as well as was secretary made from Homer Township’s land acquisition committee for open space, said the committee carefully created per plan also map out of potential properties up to buy for reveal them for the public, what person agreed with theirs plan. She replied gal anticipated per legal battle and wondered to what extent plenty taxpayer money a township would spend fighting open space plan voters once approved.

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“Any properties possess not at all yet stood sold,” Snyder mentioned. “Residents need in order to talk in order to belonging to them elected officials. They possess up to proceed in order to meetings in order to oppose it.

Snyder replied she was too concerned that each events center on Trantina Farm, with room for 1,000 cars, would alter such property.

“A natural piece of certain property could exist devastated,” dame stated.

Greg Fisch, whoever served while Homer Township administrator for 16 years, said residents passed a referendum in order to protect the land from development.

Balich said in case a farms were bought, they would own for remain rezoned. Man mentioned the county, township, Lockport plus Homer Glen will ensure the property matches certain character from a area. The municipal council includes each just to reject whichever offer submitted for a purchase out of certain farms.

“Someone contains the opportunity up to buy itself plus make a offer for accomplish something with something, whether it’s their farmland either whatever they wish, nevertheless it needs for seem rezoned,” Balich declared. “Any (village) of Homer Glen, a town out of Lockport, they able mention nay. Each planning commission be capable utter no. Exactly for it’s sold doesn’t imply anyone be able to carry out what they crave with object. They contain up to proceed via each the zoning, each a codes, everything. … Ourselves as well don’t want toward bring warehouses on hand.

Michelle Mullins is single freelance journalist for each Daily Southtown.