The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Various County Are Raised Road Program In Progress As part of a $69,000 cost sharing construction program, wot* started recently at the intersection of Elm and Front streets. The project, afeped at helping to ease the many problems that plague this intersection, will be completed by Jnaei of 1980. The bulk of the construction work is scheduled to be done this year, however. The federal government is providing money to take care of 85 percent of the cost, i»r $58,650; the state is funding 11:85 percent, or $7,762.50; and the city is providing 3.75 percent, or $2,587.50. STAFF PHOTO-WAYNE GAYLORD "SERVING THE CHAIN-O-LAKES REGION SINCE 1875' VOLUME 104 NUMBER 24 FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1979 2 SECTIONS 30 PAGES 20* ns of the First United Melodist church to pave a hlobk of the tree bank along street for parking pur- evoked serious debate at y night's City Council tag A * According to Alderman Pepping, tne church started to go ahead with its plans after ;J "assuring Fred Meyer and company that there were no objectors." But, three ob­ jectors did appear at the cil meeting: Ken Bruce, Pender and Mrs. Emil n. *Phey said the church had proposed diagonal parking on only a portion of the grass field and no blacktop. ^According to Pender, the church presented the project as also having scenic plantings and railroad ties in the center of the lot. ^Mayor Stanek said that the property was a City property and that it was up to the Council U> decide and not up to the Church. ^Alderman Harker said the objectors' concerns about an increase in runoff due to the giving could be handled through engineering. Three of the Council members - Harker, Ms. Nolan a$ft; Meurer- said they wenMMjj|ibers of the church. •„, -. A l d e r m a n P e p p i n g questioned the ne«l for in­ creased parking and was in­ formed by Harker that the church presently provides two services and that future plans call for only one service, and this would require a larger parking area. Harker went on to say that both St. Mary's and St. Patrick's churches have parking in front of the buildings on the tree bank and that it had been that way for 25 years with no objections. Alderman Datz felt that the City would be 'Jsetting a dangerous precedent" if it allowed the paving of tree banks anywhere. Gravel has already been laid at the site. The objectors stated that they were very concerned about having to look at a "permanent parking lot." Alderman Wieser said that it was rn t worth paving the tree bank for two horn's on a Sunday morning. r The question was asked whether St. Mary's would be reqyired to tear up the parking area in the tree bank on Grand avenue if First United was not allowed to pave on John street. Alderman Schooley then said that "it has not been proven to me that extra parking "1» needed" and moved to disallow blacktop on the tree bank. Area The motion carried 5 to 2 with Alderman Nolan abstaining. Mayor Stanek said he would to reach a settlement between the objectors and the i church. The McHenry county levy is expected to remain the same with one exception, but action .at Tuesday's meeting of the County board raised various fees. » The levy and budget discussion was led by Edward Buss of McHenry, who heads the Finance and Salaries committee. Buss pointed out that the only exception in the levy figure would be added election costs necessitated because under the new con­ solidation of elections, the county assumes payment of all costs. Bill Hubbard of Crystal Lake wondered whether city, township and school govern­ mental units had recognized that they would be spared this expense and had reduced their levies accordingly. Hubbard suggested that the county clerk be asked to notify them so that such action could be taken. Approval was given to raising the fee for a building permit for a 1,2% square foot residence from $195 to $276.60. The increase occurs in the building fee itself, while the well, septic and service fee remain the same. Petition fees for zoning were set at $200 for variations and appeals and $350 for amend­ ments and conditional uses for the first two acres and $15 for each additional acre or part of an acre. With one negative vote, the board approved new fees in several areas as recommended by the Health and Agriculture committee. For food and drink establish­ ments, the fee doubled to $50 and $70 for those places with seating capacities of 25 or less and from 26 to 75, respectively. Over 75, the increase was from $75 to $100. For establishments in which drinks only are sold, the fees are now $25, $50 and $70 for the same number of seats, all in­ creases. Checkout counters for retail food stores moved ahead from $15 to $30 for one in the store; $25 to $50 for two checkouts, and from $50 to $100 for three or more. Whenever the Department of Health is requested to make an evaluation of a private water supply system or a private sewage disposal system as part of a sale or transfer of property, a fee of $65 will be charged. The previous fee was $50. Concerning regulation of sewage treatment and disposal, a contractor must be licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Included in fees is $30 as an annual permit for proprietary treatment device and $75 annually for multiple dwelling systent A resolution concerning approval of the new fees in­ dicated that the fees currently being charged for the various services are no longer adequate to cover the cost. The only "no" vote was made by Ron Morris, who said he felt the increase in some cases, such as small restaurants, was highly unfair when compared to the same increases for supermarkets. A decision on liquor fees for the coming year has not yet been made. Figures provided by the Finance and Salaries com­ mittee revealed a substantial increase in the estimated assessed valuation of the county for 1979. The figure is $1,005,718,190 compared to $914,574,080 last year. After a discussion of the enormous workload due to the big increase in traffic tickets being written by police, Donald Doherty, vice-chairman of the Public Safety committee, was asked to attemp&o resolve the problem. It was noted that the $10 costs aljpwed by state statute ac­ tually cover about half of the actual costs and as an estimate, the county runs about a half million dollars in the red at the current allowance. The Audit and Court Services committee report indicated all people involved would work to see if the volume of tickets could be reduced, particularly for first time or minor in­ fractions of the law, and to see if the legislature might be persuaded to increase the amount allowed for costs. Authorization was given through a resolution that allows the county treasurer to hold a scavenger sale of real estate parcels in the county that are five or more years delinquent. A1 Collins, a board member, announced that a report of the 201 Fox River study would be made at a meeting to be held at 9:30 Monday morning, Oct. 29, at the courthouse. Richard Wissell, who heads the Health department of the county, was present to discuss septic systems and their problems in the county. He indicated there were many system failures, and explained that this factor, together with the water table, results in much zoning being denied. Vandalism On The Increase An increase in vandalism has been noted by police in recent days. Sheriff's police were called to Request Living Units To Replace Golf Course Residential Group (RDG) Development is asking city s "Hello" came the childish voice over the line. > We had half stumbled to the phone from a sound sleep. Small slits for eyes guided our steps, allowing us to barely spot the phone as we attempted to retain a stupor that would allow sleep to return. « After the initial greeting - nothing! *- This prompted our suggestion that he must have a Wrong number, and we ^tumbled back to bed with just j % peek at the clock that told us r! was only 7:25 a.m. f-sM'A disgraceful hour to be Jummoned to the phone during vacation", we found ourself i mumbling as we pulled the blanket ear high. I v It was 7:30 and another ring. The same young voice which, in l$cognizing he had missed ilgain, said nothing again. #But father was in the background and we heard a booming, "Did you get anybody this time"? We hung'up. 'We are averse to the telephone at any time and have 'fbng taken delight in letting it g off the hook" while we e doing something that ed more important than iwering. So to be aroused ce by such an imbecilic call ed unthinkable during our tie week away from the an­ noyance that is inescapable in a business office. 'lA We are keeping a reminder to do away with all phones next vacation. Another thing we could do well without at such times is TV weathermen. While they have an immense attraction at any other time, there is nothing more annoying than a wrong weather guess when you're judging precious leisure time by a forecast. Inevitably, a cold and gloomy prediction turns into a warm, sunny day. In the meantime, you've changed your plans for a day outdooors. Or even worse, a prediction of "clearing by noon" gets all fouled up. The day starts sunny and you decide you've fooled the weatherman after all. The clearoff came early. So you pack the picnic basket, spend last week's pay on gasoline and head for the beauty of Wisconsin. And what happens? After the first 25 miles the clouds begin to appear, the wind gusts and it's a challenge even to take a brisk walk, to say nothing of trying to eat on a picnic bench. But for all the other nuisances we encountered during a week off, there was one optimistic note. It was the unending soap operas that, many of us rarely see. Anyone who thinks he has troubles should take just a half hour off to see what's hap­ pening on one of the soaps. It's enough to make us feel we never knew what trouble was! approval to build 256 living units in place of a long planned golf course on 144 acres of the Whispering Oaks PUD (planned unit development). Jim Berg, RDG represen­ tative, explained this proposal to the McHenry Planning commission Thursday night, Oct. 11. He said the 18-hole golf course included in the original concept of the PUD when presented to the city in 1965, was projected as a commercial venture, and now RDG, which is the successor to original developer Robino Ladd, wishes to abandon the proposal as not feasible. Berg said the hearing before the Zoning Board of Appeals (set for Friday, Oct. 12) would involve a request for a change in zoning from special use PUD residential to "R-3" residential use that would permit the developer to build single family homes on 172 lots of 10,000 square foot and to erect 21 four- plex buildings near the lagoons for a total of 256 units west of Boone Creek. The rest of the property which would lie near the creek would be given to the city for active or passive recreation areas or, in part, for use as an immediate school site. In response to a question by planner Joan Schwegel, Berg claimed that the golf course had not been offered as an amenity to buyers although it had remained on the plat illustrations in the sales offices. He added that the city had recognized that the course would probably not be developed when it accepted parts of the 14th and 15th holes as a new well site. Also, capacities for possible building in this area had been reserved in the city sewer system. Berg said that the Whispering Oaks development, consisting originally of 600 acres, was annexed to McHenry in 1965 as the Boone Valley PUD under an or­ dinance and provided for mostly single family residences with some multi-family and commercial zoning included. The golf course was indicated at that time, but was never further discussed. Berg added that the original plan has been followed to a great extent. The zoning was based on a density of one living unit per 10,000 square feet which included the lot, open space, parkways, green areas and walkways. Some of the lots in the early development were as small as 7,500 square feet, since over 41 acres of park were dedicated to the city at that time. He said that 1,294 dwelling units, in­ cluding condominiums and apartments, resulted through Unit 14 of Whispering Oaks, and they could have built 1,366 according to the PUD or­ dinance. ° Berg noted that PUD agreements were, and are still, new and have few precedents established as to the length of their term and how they should be treated. He said also that it was really doubtful that they had to come back before the city for rezoning for authority to build the added housing on the vacant land as it would still meet the density requirements established in that first PUD ordinance. However, on the advice of the city attorney, RDG was submitting a petition to the ZBA for rezoning. If successful, RDG would submit a new plat to the Planning commission for review. Berg admitted to a com­ mission ^member that there would probably be some ob­ jections from residents along Oakwood drive, but it is normal to have objectors. He pointed out some negative aspects to developing a golf course in the site designated. There would have been a considerable loss in trees for fairways, and with the entrance off of Oakwood there would have been a traffic problem. Robert Grossman, planning consultant for the city, recalled that in 1968 when the course (Continued on page 18) LeVichyssois Limited, 220 Rand road, in response to two 'youths throwing eggs at the building. A foot chase ensued, but the two were found hiding in some weeds near the restaurant. Mitchell Gaskell, 17, of 513 Maplewood drive, McHenry, was arrested for disorderly conduct and bond was set at $35. His juvenile accomplice was referred to the proper authorities. When Ted Honning, of 318 Mineral 'Springs road, McHenry, became unruly at the Changes Disco lounge, according to the police report, he was arrested for disorderly conduct. Bond was set at $35. On Oct. 15, Fred McGinnis, of 1009 Wilmot road, McHenry, refused to stop shouting and using abusive language and was arrested for disorderly conduct with bond set at $35. Alan Lasecki, of 5205 Westwood, McHenry, called the Sheriff's police when he found all four tires on his car deflated, a wax-like substance smeared on the side of the auto, sand poured in the gas tank and the PCV valve missing. Joshua Wilkerson, of 1812 Grandview drive, McHenry, reported that the windshield, fog lamps, hood and sides of his truck had all been either broken or dented with a log. The Marshall-Wiedenhoeft C o n s t r u c t i o n c o m p a n y reported that someone had shot out seven windows in a home under construction on Pleasant avenue. A spent 20-gauge shotgun shell was found at the scene. When Sheriff's police tried to stop an auto speeding 73 mph in a 55 zone on Route 31 and disregarding the red lights and siren, it turned onto Pioneer road until it finally came to a stop. Robert Nelson, of 520 S. Route 31, McHenry, was ticketed for speeding, disobeying a police officer and fleeing and attempting to eludt an officer. Daniel Sande, of Placentia, Calif., and Antoinette Axell, of 1706 Grandview, McHenry, were ticketed for having upen liquor in an auto wher sheriff's police stopped to investigate the car which was parked in the beach area of May avenue. In a similar situation, when the police investigated a car parked along Riverdale, Scott Weingart, of 3622 Chapel Hill road and Todd Boutin, of 1408 Brorson, both in McHenry, were ticketed for having open liquor in a motor vehicle. Mathew Brechel, of 1512 Pina street, McHenry, was riding on his motorcycle, which had no headlight. When the Sheriff's police stopped him, they found he was riding without a valid registration and his license had been suspended. He was ticketed accordingly. Car Out Of Control Sidewalk Project Go-Ahead Given By Council Members Some time ago, the City Council authorized the paving of the Main street sidewalk on the north side. The cost of the project was to be split 50-50 between the property owners and the City. At Monday night's City Council meeting Alderman George Harker reported that there were a couple of "holdouts" who have not yet paid their share. Harker said that there were three possible alternatives: a lien against the property, a special assessment or a special ordinance. City Attorney Bernard Narusis explained that special assessments were not very practical. The special or­ dinance would include the specifications and an estimated cost of the Droject and would obligate the property owner to participate. Narusis said the City would be required to notify the property owner, who would then have 30 days to either pay the money or install the pavement himself. A special tax list would be made of those property owners who did not comply and essentially the same procedures for recouping unpaid taxes would be used in this case. Alderman Pepping suggested passing the ordinance and mailing the notices and starting the work., In this way, the 30- day requirement would be met and the City could pave the entire sidewalk, and have a method of insuring! par­ ticipation in the program. The Council also approved the spending of more than $250 a month increase for more employee health insurance as required by recent federal legislation. The legislation, which amounts to another "federally mandated cost increase" ac­ cording to both Alderman Datz and Mayor Stanek, says that the City must consider pregnancy as a long-term illness and provide the same benefits for employees and their dependents. Commenting on the recent legislation, Attorney Narusis said, "It defies logic, you can't explain it. It's there." In other Council action, the Knox park master plan- which calls for the swimming pool to (Continuedon page 18) The light colored Cadillac on the right backed out of its parking space Wednesday afternoon and caromed off a beer truck, hit the car on the left and wedged itself between the building and a fence. > The driver of the car, Giusty Militello, Crystal Lake, told McHenry police that his accelerator stuck as he tried to avoid the beer truck and he lost control of the car which was still in reverse. His WIN was transported more shaken than Injured to McHenry hospital by the McHenry Rescue squad...