County approves road‑use agreement, plans work on 18 miles tied to Panther Grove developer

The Livingston County Board approved a road‑use agreement with the developer working as Panther Grove (referred to in committee as PG2/Panther Grove 2) covering work and protections for roughly 18 miles of county highways associated with the project. Highway staff said the developer retained an Illinois engineering firm and had produced designs that largely met the county's standards; designs were about 90% complete at the time of the presentation.

Highway department staff described the work planned under the agreement: a mill and overlay (hot mix) on about 7 miles of County Highway 16, cement‑treated base and an "A3" application on three miles west of the county line, and a mix of hot‑mix overlays and cement stabilization on County Highway 13 and adjacent segments — a total footprint of 18 county highway miles. Staff said some final wearing‑surface work (hot mix and an A2 application) will be performed at the end of the developer's schedule and overseen by county contracting procedures. The agreement includes permit requirements, enforcement provisions and an annual administrative fee assessed per mile in the footprint.

Highway committee chair Steve Lovell introduced the item and fielded questions from board members about the agreement's scope; staff clarified the agreement applies only to county highways, not township roads. Clay (highway staff) answered technical questions; the board then voted on the agreement by roll call and approved it.

The agreement puts follow‑up responsibilities on the highway department to inspect construction and manage county letting for final wearing surfaces.