McHenry County Blog

Erin Smith

Below is the fall newsletter from Lakewood Village President Erin Smith:

For many of us, summer is a slower time of the year as we travel or enjoy local pursuits such as golf or boating. At the Village of Lakewood, however, it’s our busiest time of the year. And this summer was no exception.

New Home Construction

I am most pleased to report that we have seen an increase in the number of new single family homes being built in our community.

Four (4) new homes are currently under construction, and an additional three (3) new homes are currently under review and hope to break ground this fall.

This is a significant turn around from the past few years (during which no new homes were built) and bodes well for ongoing growth and development.

It is also consistent with a study reported in a May edition of the Chicago Tribune that indicates the Village of Lakewood is the only community in McHenry County to experience an increase in its property values during the past five (5) years.

Specifically, we have experienced an increase of 17.65% with a current median value of $353,250.

While the real estate market continues to be challenged, there has definitely been an uptick in new home construction and values, and this will benefit our entire community.

Lakewood Homes in Crystal Lake Service League Housewalk

Consistent with the beautiful and unique houses throughout our community, all of the homes showcased in the 2012 Crystal Lake Service League Housewalk are within the Village of Lakewood. It will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase our community. These include

• the Shade’s at 7307 Fairway Drive;
• the Dvorak’s at 6919 Inverway;
• the Olsen’s at 318 Hampshire Lane; and
• the Wencek’s at 6910 Cambria Cove.

New Centegra Hospital Approved

We have actively supported and closely monitored the status of the proposed new Centegra Hospital on Haligus Road in Huntley.

It recently received final approval and is expected to be completed in 2016.

Not only will this facility provide improved access to health care for our residents, but we are developing a strategy to aggressively market our residential developments to the physicians and staff members who will work at the new hospital.

El Café Open for Business

In the last newsletter, I was thrilled to report that El Café was preparing to open. It has now opened to much acclaim and success! The owners are actively listening to their patrons, and plans are underway to make minor modifications to the coffee shop that will allow them to serve fresh salads every day. If you have not yet had a chance, please stop by and support our newest business. As always, please contact me directly if you have a lead for a possible new business in our community.

Commercial Sign Standards

On August 28, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution requesting that McHenry County place a moratorium on the issuance of new permits for electronic billboards until it considers standards for such facilities.

This action was prompted by the pending application for an electronic billboard on Illinois Route 47 and north of Ballard Road.

This property is currently in unincorporated McHenry County but is surrounded by the Village of Lakewood.

Therefore, we are pursuing the forcible annexation of this area so that any development is consistent with our standards for this commercial corridor.

Lakewood Summer Festivals

It was a busy summer for festivals!

Celebrate Lakewood brought nearly 300 residents to see the renovations at the RedTail Golf Course clubhouse.

Our local businesses also had an opportunity to introduce themselves to our residents, and the highlight of the day was the landing of a “Flight for Life” helicopter.

Our thanks to the Economic Development and Golf Course Committees for all of their hard work to make this event a reality.

Shortly thereafter, Crosspoint Lutheran Church held its first Family Fest. Again, nearly 300 people enjoyed great food, music, and activities.

The summer ended with a bang as 585 runners and countless volunteers participated in the first annual Deep Dish Dash at Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria. All of the funds raised will support Family Health Partnership Clinic’s breast cancer fund, which helps uninsured women in McHenry County have access to life saving screening, education, and care coordination.

Not only are these events an important component of building a sense of community, but they help to introduce visitors to our beautiful community.

The Lakewood Village Hall could morph into a restaurant overlooking Crystal Lake. It would be the only one.

Long-Term Plans for Village Hall

We have also had some very preliminary discussions with a consortium to begin to more thoughtfully and carefully consider

• the possible development of a restaurant on the current Village Hall site;
• the creation of a town center; and
• the construction of a municipal complex.

This process is completely exploratory at this time, and no commitments will be made without significant input from our residents.

A more formal presentation to gather additional information about the process is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, September 25.

2012 Roadway Program

Our 2012 roadway program is expected to begin in mid September and, as a reminder, it includes:

• South Shore Drive from Essex Lane to Meridian Street;
• the 200 blocks of Essex Lane,
• Oxford Lane,
• Cumberland Lane,
• Melrose Lane, and
• Meridian Street;

as well as localized patching and restriping throughout the Village.

Partridge/Braemar Water Main Replacement Project

The Board of Trustees also recently approved a $424,759 bid for the replacement of water mains, isolation valves, and fire hydrants on Partridge Lane and Braemar Circle.

This neighborhood routinely experiences water main breaks, and so we are pleased to finally be able to address this long-standing problem. A more detailed letter regarding the project will be mailed to the residents of this neighborhood in the near future.

And thank you for your very positive response to the letter that I sent earlier in the summer about the drought. We continue to be under a severe drought, and we are carefully monitoring our water supplies and treatment/storage facilities. Please exercise moderation in your water usage!

Crystal Lake has receded between Gate 3 and the outlet.

As fall begins, please be cautious on the roadways as children and buses travel back and forth to school.

Sincerely,

Erin

Village President

A press release from Congressman Randy Hultgren:

Kane Now Classified a Contiguous County, Eligible for Disaster Assistance Programs Due to Drought

The Ag Department’s map has not been updated with the information contained in Congressman Randy Hultgren’s press release.

GENEVA, IL— Congressman Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today announced that Lake and McHenry counties have received primary disaster designations from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Kane county is therefore classified as ‘contiguous’ by the USDA and is eligible for disaster assistance from the Farm Service Agency.

One week ago, Lee and Whiteside counties received primary disaster designations, resulting in contiguous designations for Bureau, DeKalb, Henry and Kendall.

“This is the worst drought Illinois has seen in more than 50 years,” said Rep. Hultgren. “Thankfully, farmers, producers and even other businesses in my district can now apply for assistance to maintain stable operations for the year, despite the extraordinary circumstances.”

Yesterday, Congressman Hultgren announced loans available through the Small Business Administration for nonfarm-related and farm-related entities, such as small businesses, cooperatives and nonprofits, which have also suffered as a result of this year’s drought. For more information on SBA loans available for entities other than farmers, producers and ranchers, visit here.

For more information on FSA programs available for those who have suffered crop loss, livestock loss, or damaged farm property, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/disasterfsaprograms.pdf.

Congressman Hultgren serves on the House Agriculture Committee. Last week he voted in favor of the Agricultural Disaster Assistance Act of 2012 (House Resolution 6233), which reauthorized the Livestock Forage Disaster Program, the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-raised Fish Program, the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Tree Assistance Program.

A press release from Congressman Randy Hultgren:

The Chicago Tribune has an article today on how the dry weather is hurting people other than farmers.

Drought Assistance Now Available for Illinois Businesses Other than Farms, says Hultgren

GENEVA, IL— U.S. Representative Randy Hultgren (IL-14) today announced that Economic Injury Disaster Loans from the Small Business Administration (SBA) are now available for businesses other than farms in Bureau, DeKalb, Henry, Kendall, Montgomery and Whiteside counties that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this year’s drought. [Note that this is a government press release and Hultgren does not represent McHenry County yet. McHenry County is included in this relief because it is contiguous with counties declared affected by the drought.]

“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to eligible entities affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, director of SBA’s Field Operations Center East in Atlanta.

According to the SBA, the loans are only for farm-related or nonfarm-related entities such as small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, and private non-profit organizations. Producers, farmers and ranchers are not eligible for the SBA loans, but may be eligible for assistance through the U.S. Department of Agriculture and should visit www.fsa.usda.gov for more information.

SBA loan amounts will vary based on the size of the applicant, type of activity and financial resources, but may go up to $2 million. They may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other bills that entities were unable to pay because of the disaster. They are not intended to replace lost sales or profits.

The counties in red have been declared part of the drought. Those in a lighter color next to the red ones can get drought relief aid, too.

“The effects of the 2012 drought have been far-reaching and devastating for businesses other than farms,” said Rep. Hultgren. “While these loans can’t make up for lost profit, they can help a business or nonprofit maintain stable operations, saving many jobs in the process.”

Applicants may apply either by mail or online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website: https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. Completed applications are due by April 1, 2013.

A press release from McHenry County:

McHenry County communities and large water users discuss the need for water conservation and drought preparation

WOODSTOCK, IL – McHenry County, municipal, and township government leaders, state officials, and large water users met on Wednesday, July 11, to discuss the need for water conservation and drought preparation.

Illinois Water Survey Logo

According to Walt Kelly of the Illinois State Water Survey,

“Illinois is falling deeper into drought conditions as agricultural impacts are now becoming much more evident and hydrologic conditions [are] continuing to deteriorate. There is very little rain in the forecast at a time when substantial rains are needed to avoid agricultural damages.”

On July 3rd, the U.S. Drought Monitor updated the classification of most of McHenry County from “moderate” to “severe” drought.

Portions of central and southern Illinois have been experiencing a severe or extreme drought since mid-June.

Thirty-three counties in central and southern Illinois recently received a disaster designation from the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

This was done based on a request from the Illinois Department of Agriculture, based on specific formulas and field input.

The disaster designation makes low and no interest loans available to the agriculture community.

It does not provide relief to local or state government or home owners.

In response to the drought conditions, many McHenry County communities have implemented restrictions on the use of their public water supplies.

Municipal residents are encouraged to contact their appropriate authorities to learn of their particular restrictions.

McHenry County does not have the authority to restrict the use of water by residents, industry, or farmers as it does not provide a public water supply.

However, McHenry County is urging all residents, incorporated and unincorporated, to implement additional voluntary water conservation measures.

The County is urging residents

• not to water lawns and recommending to only water gardens in the early morning and evening hours (after checking on municipal restrictions); avoid washing cars;
• repair leaky water fixtures;
• turn off the water while shaving and brushing teeth;
• take shorter showers;
• use dishwashers and clothes washers only when full; and by
• not letting the water run when washing dishes by hand.

For more water conservation ideas, please visit the McHenry County water resources website: www.co.mchenry.il.us/departments/waterresources.