The Huntley Farmside

              SERVING THE PEOPLE OF HUNTLEY SINCE 1960
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HUNTLEY, ILLINOIS
THURSDAY, MARCH 2,1995 - VOLUME 34, NUMBER 47
USPS 580-360
New Kiwanis Club Forming In Huntley
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The Kiwanis Clubs of McHenry County arc encouraging Huntley area business people and residents to become part of a local Kiwanis Club.
Kiwanis is a worldwide service organization made up of over 9,000 clubs and 330,000 members. The primary objective of Kiwanis is service to the people of the community where the club is located. Besides meeting local needs, members have the opportunity for weekly
fellowship and inspiration from club meetings. The on-going service emphasis of Kiwanis International is "Young Children-Priority One."
There are currently eleven Kiwanis clubs in McHenry County plus two Kiwanis Key clubs for high schoolers and two Kiwanis Builders clubs for middle school students.
For more information about Kiwanis and to leam how to become part of this international service organization, call 669-5807.
Huntley Building Department To Hold Q/A Sessions
By Butch Ehrke
On March 18, 1995, Huntley building commissioner Butch Ehrke, plumbing inspector Phil Brady, electrical inspectors Tom Schiro and Jerry Zygowicz, and department secretary Charlie Pace, will be on hand in the building department at the village hall from 8am-12pm. The purpose is to allow the residents of Huntley to come in and get their questions answered or concems heard.
One of the biggest misconceptions with any building department is the belief that the inspectors are in existence only to make life
miserable for those who require their services. This is an attempt to try and change these misconceptions and open up communications.
Also, for the convenience of Huntley residents that require answers to questions, complaints, permits or other services. Butch is usually available for appointments between 3:30-6:30pm on the Thursday nights of committee of the whole or board meetings.
The building department will be open from Sam-12pm on the following Saturdays: March 18 (Open House), April 1, May 6, June 3, July 8, and August 5.
TLC Preschool teacher, Sue Hansen, demonstrates a science experiment for the class.
Huntley TLC Plans For More Growth In 1995
Excitement is high at TLC Preschool this spring as the school looks forward to continued growth. The preschool began in the fall of 1993 with one classroom and morning hours only. This year enrollment has increased 100%. An additional classroom was added with programs both in the moming and afternoon.
With the continuing growth in Huntley and the surrounding
area, they are expecting that the numbers will again double for the 1995-96 school season. Workshops and conferences are attended as staff continually looks for new ideas to make early childhood education fun and exciting for the children. Registrations for the 3- and 4- year-old programs are being accepted during the month of March for fall enrollment. Applications for a possible fall
kindergarten will be taken from those interested in a Christian education for their child. Trinity Lutheran Church is looking into the future of broadening their ministry in the surrounding community. For more infonnation about the program or to register your child, please stop by for a visit or call 708/669-5781 from 8:30am-3:30pm weekdays.
Huntley Planning Commission Approves Prime Plan
The regular meeting of the Huntley Planning Commission was called to order Feb. 20, at 7:05pm by Chairman Rohlwing. Present were board members Daum, Brown, Hahn, Domagalski and Borchart. Also present were Mayor Dhamer and Administrator Nelis.
Minutes of December 12.1995: Motion by Hahn, 2nd by Domagalski, to approve the minutes. Vote: ayes, all. Motion carried.
"High Peak" Climbing Gvm
Mr. Raymond Zwierzycki, applicant, was present.
Mr. Zwierzycki proceeded to explain the background and concept of the climbing gym. This is very popular in Europe and is a growing sport in the U.S. Mr. Zwierzycki referred to pictures (exhibit A) of comparable climbing gyms across the country. The climbing surface and basic construction were detailed. Participation would include two people: one on the ground with a rope and pulley and the climber. The climber could not fall - but would swing back with the devices. The descent is controlled.
Mr. Zwierzycki explained that this is a safe sport. He knows of no reported deaths in gym conditions and has read of only one significant injury. The climber would be prequalified and trained at "High Peak" Gym. Standard calls would be used between the climber and the person on the ground. The equipment would also be checked for proper tie-in.
Board member Ed Schachmer arrived at 7:12pm.
Other climbing gyms in the area are located in Crystal Lake (19ft); Batavia (16ft); Des Plaines (25ft); 19th and Halsted, Chicago (32ft); and downtown Chicago (100ft).
The size of the building would be approximately 5,000sf, with a height of 40- 45ft. and would be the largest in the Chicago area. There would also be 1,200sf ancillary area to be used for service. Adequate parking would be available.
The property would be located in the Bemat Industrial Park on Lot 8. Mr. Zwierzycki spotted the location on the map. The site is bordered by railroad tracks and a detention area. Proposed front elevations were also shown.
Mr. Zwierzycki pointed out that the main business times would be Saturdays,
Sundays, and holidays.
There were no questions or statements from the board or public.
Motion by Daum, to recommend to the village board that the usage be granted thereby amending Table 2 of the Huntley Zoning Ordinance to allow "Health Club or Gymnasium" as a permitted use in the "M" district. Motion was seconded by Hahn. Roll call: Daum, Brown, Hahn, Domagalski, Schachtner, Borchart and Rohlwing voted all ayes. Motion carried.
Sullivan/Livingston Concept Plan
Representing Messrs. Sullivan and Livingston was Mr. James Loeppert of the engineering firm of Loeppert & Associates.
Mr. Loeppert described the project as 160 acres northeast of Huntley, east of Rt. 47 and north of Reed Road. There has been a modification to the zoning plan (a copy of which was distributed to the committee). The modification changed the R-5 district to R-4. Forty acres of the project is owned by Mr. Livingston; the remainder by Mr. Sullivan.
Mr. Loeppert stated the advantages of this proposal:
- It completes the Rt. 47 corridor on both sides.
- It squares up the boundaries of the village.
- 25% of the net area is for a commercial-type use: B-1, B-2, B-3. The remainder of the land will be residential: 25% for owner-occupied townhomes and 75% R-2, 8,400sf lots.
Some constraints cited by Mr. Loeppert are:
- Miller Road is shown on Lake-in-the-Hills Comprehensive Plan as crossing this property - and how will this align to RL 47?
- They are waiting for input from the park board for parks and cash contributions. This project would generate 2,000 to 2,700 people.
- Commonwealth Edison is looking for an easement for high-tension wires. Consequently, there would have to be an adjustment in the plan because single family would not be the most appropriate use along the wires.
Administrator Nelis referred to the property on the map. It is surrounded by
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