Huntley agrees with the Kane County Forest Preserve District’s proposed acquisition of approximately 294 acres of land

HUNTLEY — The Board of Trustees decided to take no further action at the Nov. 9 Village Board meeting regarding the agenda item for the resolution to conditionally concur with the Kane County Forest Preserve District’s proposed acquisition of approximately 294 acres of land at the southwest corner of I-90 and Route 47.

On Aug. 10, representatives for the Kane County Forest Preserve District came before the board to discuss their intent to, at the time, purchase 340 acres of land on the southwest corner of I-90 and Route 47. However, due to the Downstate Forest Preserve District Act, Kane County is required to receive the concurrence of Huntley before purchasing the property since the land is located within the village’s municipal boundaries.

Representatives told the board that the Kane County Forest Preserve District plans to continue farming the larger 293 acres of land and eventually restore the entire site to a woodland, wetland, and prairie mix area with trails situated throughout the property. This would be similar to the district’s properties on Freeman Road, according to Huntley Village Manager Dave Johnson.

While trustees were in favor of preserving the land, they did express concern with the district’s intent to reserve the right to sell approximately 45 acres of the proposed acquired property along the frontage of Route 47. Trustees suggested that the district continue discussions with the property owner to exclude the purchase of the 45 acres of land.

Following the Aug. 10 meeting, trustees learned that on Oct. 10, the district approved a resolution to purchase only the approximate 294 acres of property, subject to the concurrence of Huntley, with the remaining 45 acres to be purchased by a third party as required by the seller.

In the Nov. 9 Board meeting agenda packet, it is noted that the Kane County Forest Preserve District and the property owner have had additional discussions with another buyer for the 45 acres of land along Route 47.

The buyer has a contract to purchase the site directly from the owner, which the Village of Huntley has conditionally concurred with as long as there are assurances by the third party to provide municipal utility easements around the perimeter of the property for future village infrastructure improvements.

The 45 acres along the frontage of Route 47 will remain available for future commercial use.