Homer Township looking to sell two farmhouses bought for open space

Homer Township officials wish to sell two farms such were purchased as portion from any township’s open space initiative toward assist fund each event center, nevertheless some residents say they crave in order to fight toward preserve open lands.

Township supervisor Steve Balich said the township was able to earn concerning $4 million starting at each sale belonging to certain Purdy along with Paul farms. The urban area council voted 5-0 on Monday up to authorize certain sales.

Any Purdy Farm, an 86-acre open space next to certain corner out of Gougar as well as Bruce Roads, was certain initial property the Township purchased under its open space program. Any Paul Farm is some 56 acre site located on certain south side made from 151st Street between Gougar along with Farrell Roads.

Balich said any township be able to sell each country beneath Illinois condition statutes, also certain sale price the township could receive could distant exceed any revenue object should fetch out of leasing itself to farmers. Proceeds from certain sale belonging to any properties had the ability support fund one event center near any Trantina Farm within each 15700 block made from West 151st Street, whatever is different property within the township’s open space program, Balich replied.

Each event center was capable of provide accommodations for weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, family reunions, block parties either festivals, Balich declared. Groups of this kind while Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts nor 4-H clubs was able to too make use of each center, gentleman mentioned.

Balich pointed in order to one successful consultative referendum inside 2020 whatever asked whether a township shall seek grants toward build per multipurpose pole barn-style structure for community educational, environmental, recreational and social activities.

Balich stated male won’t raise taxes toward fund certain center, also the township is amid any early stages belonging to working with one landscape architect for design any project. Certain event center could own parking for nearby 1,000 cars, Balich replied.

“It’s going up to seem a really welcoming plus nice place,” he declared.

Some residents, however, contain stated they plan up to fight certain sale out of a twain farms, what goes against the spirit from certain open space program who residents approved amid one referendum more compared with 20 years ago.

Within April 1999, Homer Township voters voted to issue $8 million inside bonds to purchase areas across any township since segment made from belonging to it open space plan. Concerning 65% out of residents approved a bond sale, whatever ultimately purchased regarding 200 acres belonging to soil, including Paul, Purdy, Welter as well as Trantina farms. Multiple of aforementioned areas continue toward seem cultivated.

Township documents from 1998 indicated which any open space might remain leased toward farmers for promote soil conservation. The open space program could as well promote public outdoor recreation of this kind in similar fashion the construction made from single gazebo alternatively park for concerts, a construction belonging to bicycle along with equestrian paths, certain development made from some sports complex or any expansion belonging to certain park. Some soil would remain amid of it natural explain toward preserve flora also fauna, historic sites nor scientific interests, according up to each documents.

A open space program is as well used in order to promote orderly suburban development using a township’s land use plan while per guide.

Earlier current annual period, residents opposed certain township’s plan to sell each Welter Farm property exactly west belonging to Bell Road in order to some developer in order to create a housing project for each elderly. Balich replied Welter Farm earth is zoned residential, whilst Purdy along with Paul farms are zoned for agriculture. A Welter Farm senior housing development was eventually abandoned.

Resident Sharon Sweas, one former administrator belonging to Homer Glen, stated residents shift to Homer Township for its rural feel as well as as it is unlike another suburbs. Preserving open space is important toward each community, also unit from a reasons residents approved from the referendum was for prevent overdevelopment.

“I am totally against certain sale made from aforementioned properties,” gal said. “Is something concerning money alternatively is something about preserving a neighborhood for current along with future residents? Entity must be preserved. I don’t wish up to lose each beauty made from nature and everything whatever goes with it.

Any earth fulfills in no way belong to a township council, yet for a individuals of each township, said former Homer Glen administrator Margaret Sabo, who served on any township’s open space committee for further in comparison to 20 years.

“It’s terribly wrong,” Sabo stated. “Residents hold paid for above properties. They voted for buy a properties. Aforementioned are a people whoever own a properties.

Sabo replied any proposal for sell any two farms was not at all transparent. The municipality council contains never held public hearings either community workshops up to gauge residents’ interest, ma'am declared.

Gail Snyder, who was appointed toward a earliest Homer Glen village board later each area was incorporated among 2001, mentioned any sale could depart against voters’ intent.

Snyder, which person helped push certain referendum throughout as well as was secretary out of Homer Township’s land acquisition committee for open space, mentioned any committee carefully created per plan along with map made from potential properties to buy for display them toward the public, who agreed with to them plan. Gal mentioned gal anticipated one legal battle as well as wondered in what way far taxpayer money certain township could spend fighting open space plan voters once approved.

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“Each properties own in no way yet existed sold,” Snyder replied. “Residents necessitate in order to talk to belonging to them elected officials. They hold up to leave in order to meetings up to oppose it.

Snyder mentioned dame was also concerned which a events center on Trantina Farm, with room for 1,000 cars, would alter that property.

“Certain natural part made from a property could become devastated,” dame declared.

Greg Fisch, which person served since Homer Township administrator for 16 years, mentioned residents passed each referendum for protect a land out of development.

Balich stated when the farms were bought, they would hold up to become rezoned. Gentleman said a county, township, Lockport as well as Homer Glen desire ensure a property matches each character out of each area. A municipal council possesses the proper to reject any offer submitted for a purchase belonging to the farms.

“Someone has any opportunity up to buy entity as well as make each offer up to execute something with entity, whether it’s theirs farmland or whatever they desire, but itself needs for be rezoned,” Balich said. “Each (village) belonging to Homer Glen, any town belonging to Lockport, they can speak no. Any planning commission may speak none. Just on account of it’s sold doesn’t denote anyone may execute which they wish for with object. They hold up to move through every certain zoning, all a codes, everything. … Ourselves besides don’t desire up to bring warehouses here.

Michelle Mullins is single freelance journalist for each Daily Southtown.