CRYSTAL LAKE – As the much-anticipated development of Vulcan Lakes slowly takes shape, six candidates for three seats on the Crystal Lake City Council are shaping their opinions on how to build up that property.
Incumbents Howard “Howie” Christensen, Ellen Brady Mueller and Cathy Ferguson face challenges for their seats from Planning and Zoning Commission-ers Carolyn Schofield, Brett Hopkins and James Batastini.
“I got to be here in the planning stages as we were putting the pieces together,” Christensen, a 12-year incumbent, said of Vulcan Lakes. “It’s still slow, and people say ‘Well, how come we can’t get in there and fish?’ We didn’t even receive the title to it until last year, when we got a no further remediation letter from the [Environmental Protection Agency.]”
Christensen said forming a 503-acre tax increment finance district around the former gravel quarry and finding a private developer with which to partner helped the project take big strides in recent months. Candidates agreed that a financing approach that keeps the fiscal burden off of taxpayers’ shoulders was the right one.
“We’re taking the proper approach by entering into the public, private partnership,” said Brady Mueller, who is in her eighth year on the board. “Nothing is being sacrificed by doing it this way because we’re getting everything that we want recreationally plus a great surrounding development, and not on the backs of the taxpayers.”
One first-time council candidate said the board must weigh resident input as development plans emerge. Schofield, an eight-year veteran of the zoning commission, said the city council must carefully balance public desires with those of the companies interested in building on the lake.
“I want what’s best for the community,” she said. “That [development] can have a great impact on the city, and it has to be done right. What’s done now can have a great impact on the future.”
When asked how he would manage Vulcan Lakes plans, Hopkins said the council needed to pursue the project with an eye toward ecology. He said the council should develop plans that protect the lake’s pristine condition while still giving residents the amenities they want.
“Yet, I think how much development do you really want to have happen on Vulcan Lake is a hot topic,” said Hopkins. a seven-year planner.
Batastini, who has served on the plan commission for two years, said his background in biopharmaceutical sales could help when the time comes to negotiate with builders.
“We have to be careful,” he said. “What was initially promised was a lake that would have public access. To get that done, to make it a reality today or in the near future is going to take significant progress.”
But Ferguson said that progress already was under way.
“We’re going to try to do it in phases so people can get out there and start using without waiting five or so years,” the eight-year councilwoman said. “There’s all these things that are happening all the time.
Re: Hopefuls tread Vulcan Lakes « Reply #1 on Mar 31, 2008, 9:12pm »
I dont know much about the political agenda or tax increase about this project, but my family might soon buy a house in crystal lake. We currently live in lake in the hills. I have read and heard people say to fill in Vulcan Lakes. The people who have said this are the most ignorant people I've ever read about. Vulcan Lake is one of the best natural sites to save and preserve. The fishery is incredible. That's all I can say about that. There's so much money that can be made from this site, it's not to be believed. Make it a park, allow boats with no motors, develop some fish sanctuary's and I promise, it will make Crystal Lake that much richer and better. This natural preserve CANNOT be covered, it needs to be cultivated and cared for. Those who say it should be "covered up" have no clue about nature and conservancy. They spew nothing but garbage that is self fulfilling. I think we shold do whatever it takes to save this beautiful lake.
Re: Hopefuls tread Vulcan Lakes « Reply #2 on Jun 18, 2008, 8:00am »
So, with the deterioration of our economy, are the city Einstein's still going ahead with this Vulcan Lakes dream? If no one has the money, who will come? I would like Vulcan Lakes to be a conservation area. Why try to commercialize an area that is already desirable in it current state? The city Einstein's still have yet to deliver their wet dream, which has been almost 10 years now. I think they use Vulcan Lakes Project as a means to rise taxes while producing no results. Who pocketed the money that was set aside for this project?
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