Landowners annexing into the northeast section of New Lenox should not have to change their rural zoning, plan commissioners said Monday night.
Although most annexations require that property come in with a residential zoning, commissioners recommended that the Village Board allow agricultural and estate zoning for 36 parcels of land east of Gougar Road and north of U.S. Highway 6.
Planning and Development Administrator Carrie Hansen said, “The intent all along was to let the property owners have the same rights. We’re not trying to change anything.”
The request to retain rural zoning made by attorneys for the property owners to the New Lenox Plan Commission follows the settlement of a long-term border dispute between New Lenox and Joliet.
The 10-year agreement reached by the two towns last year rules out forcible annexations and sets an east-west boundary line at Gougar Road between Smith Road on the south and Bruce Road on the north.
The land in question is east of Gougar and between U.S. 6 and Bruce Road, partly in New Lenox Township and partly in Homer Township.