The younger Kurtz voted with all other members of the MCC Board to cover 45% of the college’s property, all of which is in Crystal Lake’s watershed, with impermeable surfaces.
For decades, Crystal Lake’s watershed ordinance has prohibited construction on more than 20% of such property.
Now, the fix seems to be in, since the idea of a Frontier Minor League baseball team originated at city hall.
But, first it must go before a public hearing of the Crystal Lake Planning and Zoning Commission. The first time around the college threatened to expand elsewhere in McHenry County, if it didn’t get its way.
To drum up opposition, Kurtz, the Elder, has distributed this notice to at least the lake front property owners on Crystal Lake’s North Shore. All are Crystal Lake residents—unlike those living on the South Shore.
Here’s the text of the message:
LAKE ALERT!
Public Hearing
Wednesday, August 1 at 6pm
Crystal Lake City Hall
Planning and Zoning will be discussing McHenry County College’s proposal for a baseball stadium complex. MCC campus is located in the groundwater recharge area for our Lake and this watershed has been under a restricted development footprint. Our Lake depends on clean ground water.
Petitioners have asked for a large increase in the currently allowed footprint.
The City and MCC have been working on this for the last 18 months. Why are we now just hearing about it?
Decisions made here will determine the allowed practices for future development in the CL watershed. Our Lake needs the protection of environmentally sound state-of-the-art practices, thorough, careful planning, and the involvement of all stakeholders!
Attend and be part of this important process.
If Rosemary had asked me to co-sign, I would have.