The village just got 50 acres larger.
Unhappy with a landowner’s plan for 10 unincorporated acres at 191st Street and 88th Avenue, trustees this week annexed that property and 40 adjacent acres.
Mayor Joe Werner said the landowner was unwilling to negotiate his industrial-use plan, which included extensive outdoor storage.
Paul Gorte, community development director, said Mokena can “gain jurisdiction” over the development under a state law permitting forcible annexation of properties that are smaller than 60 acres and surrounded by town boundaries.
Gorte said the land is “wholly enclosed” by the boundaries of Mokena on the north, east and west and Tinley Park on the south.
Trustee Laura Rusiniak expressed concerns about forcibly annexing land “without even letting [the owners] know.”
But Village Atty. Ken Grey said legal notification of the village’s intent was published as required.
The move, taken at Monday night’s Village Board meeting, has a precedent, according to Trustee John Mazzorana, who said land at LaPorte and La Grange Roads and a local campground were brought within village boundaries to safeguard the town’s interests.
The village would work with landowners that want to develop their property, Village Administrator John Downs said.
The concern isn’t just the 10 acres originally proposed for industrial development, Werner said. “It’s safe to say we want to maintain the value of the other 40 acres,” he said.