In a break with precedent, trustees have given a subdivision plan early approval to speed up a land transfer to New Lenox Elementary School District 122.
The plan for the second phase of the Walker Country Estates North subdivision includes the site proposed for a second junior high school as well as park land and 37 single-family homes.
Unlike other plans, which do not come up for a vote until the final engineering is complete, the Walker site was presented for early approval last week because the school district must have title to the land to qualify for a state construction grant, Robin Traubenik, planning and development administrator, said.
If voters approve a $16.3 million building referendum question March 21, District 122 will get a $7.1 million state construction grant that will cut the taxpayers’ cost for a new 900-pupil junior high school, said Supt. Tom Mullins.
The developer will be required to post letters of credit to provide sufficient funds to complete the engineering, Village Engineer Scott Killinger said.
Trustee Annette Bowden, who cast the only “no” vote, said the letters of credit are not foolproof.
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If something goes wrong with the project, the taxpayers could end up paying extra, she said.