Village of Roscoe and Petry Home Builders reach agreement on Denali Heights roads

Over the last few years, the Village of Roscoe and Petry Home Builders have squabbled over many issues in the Denali Heights subdivision, on the west side of Roscoe, south of Chicory Ridge and north of Gleasman Road. The Rockford Register-Star reported that at first, the Village had agreed to allow the developer to pave thinner, 22-foot wide roads without gutters - the 1993 rural standard. But after the 20-year annexation agreement expired in 2013, the Village began insisting on thicker, 26-foot wide roads with curb, gutter and sidewalks, and wouldn't issue new permits under the old agreement. So Petry sued the Village, and roads remained unpaved.

Village Administrator Scott Sanders announced at the Aug. 17 Board meeting that a settlement agreement has finally been reached.

The settlement includes a long list of requirements and obligations of the Village, including releasing all claims, demands and obligations related to the lawsuit and allowing streets within Plats 2, 3, 4, and 5 to be constructed following the "modified rural standard." A 2019 report by Strand Associates referred to a standard of "26 feet of pavement...2 feet of drivable gravel shoulder on either side of road... asphalt depth of 3 inches."

In turn, Petry Home Builders agreed to dismiss the lawsuit, construct streets in Plats 2,3,4 and 5 according to  the modified rural standard, donate parkland, and pay the Village for street upgrades in Plat 1. The developer agreed to comply with all current Village ordinances, rules and regulations.

Trustees unanimously voted to approve the agreement.

Village Attorney Josef Kurlinkus at the Village Hall, 815-623-2829, has more detailed information on the settlement agreement.

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In other business, the Village trustees approved a memorandum of understanding between the Winnebago County Health Department and the Roscoe Police Department to implement a drug overdose prevention program. Earlier this month, Police Chief Jamie Evans reported 19 overdose cases so far this year in Roscoe.

Village President Mark Szula presented a plaque to Roscoe resident Bev Pomering, founder and director of Live R.E.A.L. Foundation (LRF), an organization that supports and educates communities about mental illness, drug use and physical and sexual abuse. The Pomerings lost their first born son Alex at age 20 from an opioid overdose - an addiction that began in Roscoe and escalated because he was ashamed to tell his family about it. The Foundation seeks to stop the stigma of mental illness and substance use dependency.

Szula proclaimed National Overdose Awareness Day, Aug. 31. The date is observed each year to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug-related deaths.

A block party in the Deerwood subdivision on Saturday, Aug. 28, from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M. was approved including the closure of the Cartwright Court cul-de-sac.

Trustees voted to continue the use of property in Glenwood subdivision currently being used as open space. The property was originally part of an extraterritorial parkland that was deeded to the Village.

Travel expenses of $1,400 per attendee to attend the Illinois Municipal League Annual Conference was approved. Szula cautioned that the conference could be cancelled due to a rise in COVID-19 cases and a possible mandate by Gov. Pritzker.

There was no Committee of the Whole meeting on the agenda for the Aug. 17 meeting.

The next Roscoe Village meeting will be held at 6:30 P.M., Sept. 7, 2021.

Michael McGinnis contributed reporting to this story, which was written by Jean Seegers.