About two years ago, Huntley businessman Mike Skala decided that he needed to expand his popular Goodfella’s Beef restaurant at 10980 S. Route 47. Then he also decided to stretch his horizons.
He decided to relocate his business a few blocks away and build a mixed residential-commercial development around it.
After one public hearing conducted by the Huntley Plan Commission last May, he realized that projects like this can often get very complicated. His project became controversial and complex. He twice requested postponements of a second plan commission hearing.
About two weeks ago, just before a second hearing scheduled for November 26, he withdrew his plan. Its future is now uncertain.
17-acre lot purchased by Mike Skala for proposed multi-residential and commercial development. (Photo by Tony Pratt/Sun Day)
Skala, who is also a member of the McHenry County Board, announced plans early this year for three apartment buildings, four 16-unit townhouses, eight single-family homes, and four 76,000-square-foot commercial office buildings on a 17-acre site on the northwest corner of Route 47 and Mill Street.
At a May public hearing by the Huntley Plan Commission, considerable opposition and skepticism arose. Opposition centered on the size and density of the project, its possible impact on area traffic, and whether it is a good fit for the site. The location formerly contained several little league baseball fields, but they were abandoned several years ago when the park district built a new recreational complex nearby in Deicke Park. The property has been vacant for several years.
The proposed site is located at the southwest edge of the village’s downtown area and town square. It also is near Huntley Park District’s Cosman Center. It is bordered on the south by Mill Street, on the west by Lincoln Street, on the north by several homes on Main Street, and on the east by Route 47.
Skaka said his plan fits into Huntley’s comprehensive plan. In a May 15 published report, Skala said, “After I bought this property, the village and I sat down and looked at the comprehensive plan. We tried to meet the plan, and I believe we have done that exactly.”
Skala needs the approval of the village’s plan commission and the village board, plus the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) since the property borders on a state highway.
Reached by the Sun Day last week, Skala said he isn’t abandoning the plan, just taking some additional time for planning and possibly modifying it to respond to resident criticism.
“There are many things that need to be worked out, many requirements by the village and other state agencies,” he said.
For example, IDOT’s timelines for approval of traffic plans are different from mine or the village’s. These timelines may take six months or longer, to meet governmental standards and policies.
Skala, who is a resident of Huntley, also said he has been surprised by the extent and level of objections to his plan from Sun City residents.
“Most people in Sun City live on the other side of Deicke Park, two miles or more from this site. I respect their opinion, but I just didn’t expect that much criticism from the Del Webb area,” he said.
It is not known when, or if, the project will be re-submitted, and/or if it will be different.
