Pingree Grove board votes to annex 15 N. 061 Reinking Road after resident objections

The Village of Pingree Grove voted to approve an ordinance annexing the property at 15 N. 061 Reinking Road into the village on a unanimous roll call after public comment from the property owner and his family. President Kubiak moved the matter to the board after staff described the property as surrounded on all sides by incorporated Pingree Grove and reported confirmation from Kane County that no previously annexed right-of-way encumbers the parcel. Nick, the village staff presenter, recommended approval to follow “good planning and zoning practices.”

The landowner, Cesar Diaz, spoke during public comment that he owns a 2-to-3-acre homestead he has invested significant time and money in and that annexation could interfere with his plans to farm and live off well water he currently uses. His sister, Ashley Diaz, added questions about how annexation would change regulatory requirements and costs and asked how the village would notify them about applicable rules if the annexation moved forward.

Officials described how annexation would change the property’s legal status and noted that the parcel would likely be rezoned R-1 (residential and agricultural) under village code. Staff said annexation would not automatically force the property onto village water and sewer so long as current systems are functioning, though future changes such as a septic failure could trigger different requirements. The board and staff said they would provide the new residents with an information packet if annexation was completed.

Trustees asked whether existing farm equipment, storage structures and grading on the parcel would be treated as nonconforming uses; village staff and the attorney advised the board that the village’s nonconforming-uses provisions would apply and that the village does not intend to force removal of existing buildings. Staff encouraged the property owners to meet with development staff (Nick and Andy) to review specific plans and whether proposed future improvements would comply with village codes.

After discussion the board took formal action. A trustee moved to approve the annexation ordinance for 15 N. 061 Reinking Road; the motion passed on a roll call with recorded “yes” votes from Trustees Peony, Tarnow, Hall, Wengles, Haig and McCurdy. The ordinance annexes the parcel into the village and implements the next steps for zoning and code application.