Roscoe IL
11-23-2022 3:02am

Roscoe trustees approve White Oak Townhouses subdivision at Hawks Point

Near the proposed site of the Townhomes of White Oak, on Roscoe Road.

The Townhomes at White Oak, a proposed multi-family subdivision in Hawks Pointe at Roscoe Road and Old River Road, is another step closer to approval by the Village of Roscoe Board of Trustees, who voted in April 2022 to rezone the property from commercial to multi-family residential. They plan to take a final vote at the Dec. 6 meeting.

The development was discussed at length at the Nov. 8 Zoning Board meeting. Several residents were present at the public hearing and expressed their displeasure about the project. “What is the benefit to the Village with this cluster housing? It will have a long-term negative impact on schools and on Roscoe,” stated resident Rob Baxter.

In a 5-1 decision, the Zoning Board recommended approval of the White Oak subdivision, with Trustee Brad Hoglund voting against. The recommendation was sent to the Committee of the Whole meeting, Nov. 15.

At the Nov. 15, 2022 Committee of the Whole meeting, four trustees voted to approve the final plat of Plat 5, which would contain the townhomes. In March 2022 Mike Dunn had expressed concerns about the increased traffic the development might bring to the rest of Hawks Pointe, but this time he voted in favor of the resolution. Trustees Sue Petty and Carol Gustafson dissented. “Does the project meet the definition of high-end condos as we were told they would?” Gustafson said. “I would like you to reject this plan. It doesn’t meet the aesthetics of what we were told.” 

Editors note: Aesthetics have been an important issue in this decision. Even before Roscoe approved the zoning change, the developer Josh Petry had been asked to provide tentative drawings, which is unusual. In April, Village Administrator Scott Sanders said that what Petry submitted at the time looked like a plan for upscale, nice homes. “We won't accept less than that,” he said. Trustee Justin Plock promised in March that if the final design were changed to apartments instead of upscale townhomes or condos, he won't vote for it. Rockton-Roscoe News has asked Village officials to send us the latest drawings.

Trustees also approved a tentative plat for the remainder of the Hawks Pointe subdivision with Gustafson and Petty again dissenting. Both recommendations now go to the full board to be voted on at the Nov. 29 meeting. Parts of the plans will also need approval from Winnebago County and state agencies.

Waste Management may continue to provide residential waste hauling and billing services to Village residents. Trustees expressed approval of a five-year contract with the company. Waste Management has serviced the Village for the last seven years. 

Village Administrator Scott Sanders discussed several options available. Some included yard waste pick-up weekly or every two weeks. Trustees chose the option for twice-monthly pickup, and larger, 96-gallon totes will be provided. Residents can continue to use 35-gallon totes, however.

Residents have received letters saying their bill  increased to $25.50 per month ($306 per year.)

Village President Mark Szula opened the Nov. 15 meeting by reading a thank-you letter to be sent to trustee Anthony Keene, who has been working on a safety and quality assurance project in California. With a few exceptions, Keene has been attending Village meetings virtually/remotely for about one year. Szula called attention to the important work Keane has been involved in and thanked him for his service. 

Editor's note: Keene generally votes with Szula and is one of three trustees running for reelection in April against four candidates who are opposed to Szula's leadership.

Szula appointed two trustees, Mike Dunn and Justin Plock, to represent Roscoe on the Collective Bargaining Committee with the Fraternal Order of Police Council.

Village Engineer Brandon Boggs reported that the only project remaining for the rest of 2022 is the completion of the Public Works building addition.

The Main Street Revitalization plan is making progress. First project will be utility relocation, according to Boggs.

The next Village meeting is scheduled for Dec. 6, 2022, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

An early version of this story said that a final vote had been taken to approve the Waste Management contract. It was only a first reading. The final vote is expected at Tuesday's meeting, Dec. 20, 2022. The public is invited.

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