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Sycamore city council turns down ordinance
The Sycamore City Council did not approve an ordinance Tuesday that would have allowed for 108 new single family homes to be built and other public improvements.
Developer John Pappas petitioned the city council to allow a subdivision called Vellagio Estates to be built. Also included in the agreements were private parks, bike paths, conservation areas, public park land, an assisted living facility and the realignment of Brickville Road.
Even if the city council voted in favor of the ordinance, Pappas would not be able to get the permits to build until January 2012.
The city council requires two-thirds vote to approve the ordinance but only 5-4 voted in favor of it.
Third Ward Alderperson Grace Adee voted against the bill because she said it is not the time.
“Too many things are going on,” she said. “Houses are waiting to be built. We can’t keep going and going.”
The needed land included 94.95 acres located at the northeast corner of Peace Road and Brickville Road. To use the land, the city would have to annex the acres that comprise the Walters family farm and the Cambier family farm.
Sycamore City Manager Bill Nicklas said in order to annex or allow the city to expand its limits, there is a legal process laid out by the state they are required to follow.
The realignment of Brickville Road was expected to improve traffic flow. The bike path would have been along the south side of Stonegate Drive connecting to a bike path along the east side of Brickville Road.
The agreement was considered at the Plan Commission Meeting on July 14, who voted to have the council approve the plan. Consideration for the agreement had been postponed on July 21 and again on Aug. 18.
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