November 20, 2009 Tinley Park News Highlights
Tinley Park Purchases Lot for Development
Commercial land development and a very distinguished honor awarded to Tinley Park by BusinessWeek magazine was discussed at Tuesday’s Tinley Park Board Meeting.
The Village will enter into an agreement with Lincoln Way Community High School District 210 Board of Education to purchase the vacant property located on the southwest corner of Harlem Avenue and 191st Street.
By doing this, the Village will be able to control what developer the land is sold to and the standards the commercial property must follow.
Pat Huntoon, a Tinley Park resident, does not want a big box store near her home.
“I have no problem with the Village speaking about purchasing that piece of land. My only concern is if they want to purchase the piece of land, rezone it, for heavy development like Walmart,” Huntoon said.
She continued, “I would not be happy with that and neither would my neighbors.”
Mayor Edward Zabrocki responded, stating that the property will eventually be developed commercially if it’s rezoned. Currently, the property is not within the Village of Tinley Park. In entering into this purchasing agreement, time will be allotted for the annexation of the property into Tinley. The cost will be $7.5 million.
“I need to make sure that the press and the public understands that the out of pocket expenses to the Village at this point of signing the contract is $50,000. At the end of the 24 months if we weren’t successful in securing a developer that contract would lapse and out of pocket expenses would be $50,000,” said Trustee Gregory Hannon.
According to Hannon, it is not the intent of the Village to go write a check to Lincoln Way for $7.5 million. Also, the $50,000 will be recouped on the sale of the property.
In other news, Zabrocki announced that through a BusinessWeek study based on factors including safety, affordability, school performance and others, Tinley Park was found to be the “Best Place in America to Raise Kids.” This is the fourth year such research has been done. Criteria for the selections were limited to towns that have at least 45,000 residents and a median income of between $40,000 and $125,000.
It was noted at Tuesday’s meeting that Walgreens has had a change of policy and is going back to a liquor license. A motion was made to increase the Class “G” Liquor Licenses by two to provide for Walgreens.
Also, an H1N1 school vaccination program in the Village will begin Friday. Thirteen grammar schools will participate in this voluntary program, where students who want to be vaccinated can do so.