Residents voice concerns over the potential for increased traffic due to new retail development

HUNTLEY — Residents of the serene Lions Chase Subdivision have expressed growing concerns over a retail development project slated to build three speculative multi-tenant commercial buildings on Lot 205 of the Fitzgerald Subdivision, which is located directly north of the existing single-family homes.

The petitioner and owner of the lot, Inder Virk, has been actively marketing the property toward commercial, personal service, retail, office, medical office, and restaurant users, however, no tenants have been identified currently. While trustees saw the potential for economic growth the development could bring during the conceptual review that took place on Sept. 22, 2022, many locals fear it will also bring an unwelcome surge in traffic and pose safety risks.

The concerns of residents have also been echoed by some on the Village Board, as Trustee Ronda Goldman told the petitioner back in 2022 that her main concern with the conceptual plans was the traffic on Main Street during school hours. She stated that traffic stacks up because of the traffic from Coyne Station Road coming onto Main Street as well as the many cars coming from town all going to and from Huntley High School.

In response to the traffic concerns, the petitioner submitted a traffic study and followed recommendations given to them by village staff and the McHenry County Department of Transportation (McDOT) and has implemented those recommendations into updated plans they presented to the Plan Commission on June 10.

The review by village staff and McDOT determined that the existing conditions on the section of Main Street where two future retail buildings will be located, do not currently allow full access to Main Street. The traffic study supports a three-quarters access, which includes right access into the property eastbound from Main Street, left access into the property westbound from Main Street, and right out of the property eastbound to Main Street.

The plans accommodate an eastbound deceleration lane beginning after Charles H. Sass Parkway to allow for the continuation of free-flowing eastbound traffic while accommodating those turning right into the development from Main Street. The plans also show that the striped center median of Main Street will be reconfigured to support a dedicated left turn lane and stacking to allow for the continuation of free-flowing westbound traffic.

The traffic analysis also warranted the installation of a traffic signal at Main Street and Charles H. Sass Parkway. Virk has acknowledged the need for the traffic signal and has committed to developing plans for a span wire signal. Virk has proposed a span wire signal similar to that at Main Street and Marengo/Harmony Road to provide the necessary signal control over the intersection until a permanent signal can be installed with future development of the property to the north.

The last change the study recommended was to support three-quarters access to the portion of the development located on Charles H. Sass Parkway, also including a right-way access into the property northbound from Charles H. Sass Parkway. There will also be a right-out of the property northbound to Charles H. Sass Parkway and a left-out of the property southbound to Charles H. Sass Parkway. All travelers on eastbound Main Street will be directed to use the Main Street access point.

As the final planned unit development (PUD) plans pass through the Plan Commission and move forward to the Village Board as recommended by the commission, it appears that, for now, the Lions Chase Homeowners Association (HOA) is satisfied with the updates to the plans.

“This fundamentally addresses the concerns the HOA presented to the village—while we would prefer the permanent entrance to be further east, the adjustment to both ingress/egress areas and the traffic signal currently satisfy our concerns,” read a statement to residents of the Estates of Lions Chase from their HOA Board of Directors.

In the coming months, it is expected that the final PUD plans for the new development will be heard by the Village Board at a future meeting. The outcome of these discussions will be closely watched by residents, as it sets a precedent for how Huntley handles the delicate balance between growth and community well-being.