Saying he believes it would pay off economically, a planning official has broached the possibility of rezoning several acres of land from residential use to light industrial/commercial.
Brian Rohde, co-chairman of the village’s Developmental, Planning and Zoning Commission, said he recently suggested rezoning land near 167th Street and 97th Avenue as a way to reap additional tax revenue.
“It’s in the better interest of the village,” Rohde said, adding that the burden on the Public Works and Police Departments would be eased. “The amount of services we would put into that area decreases tremendously.”
Rohde cited comments by a planning consultant that industrial development would yield greater tax monies.
“It would generate more tax funds than residential,” said Trustee Don Bigos, who supports the suggestion.
But, “we would not want to force that rezoning [on a developer],” Diggs said. “We could allow it if it was feasible.”
The land in question is part of five parcels that make up 33 acres. However, that area includes a creek and wetlands, according to Diggs.
“To our knowledge, none of those landowners wants to rezone as industrial,” Diggs said. “We as a village will not dictate the rezoning of that land to the landowners. We would only react to a request from the owners.”
Should such a request be made, “we would take a real hard look … at what they want to do,” he said.
A developer has received the go-ahead to build 96 town homes and condominium units on about 6 acres there, while a proposal for a second residential subdivision on 16 acres is pending, Diggs said.
The 33 acres has been the subject of an annexation battle with neighboring Orland Park, with a recent legal ruling in Orland Hills’ favor.
Officials expect to know by year-end, according to Diggs, whether the courts will hear an appeal filed by Orland Park.