Westmont board approves involuntary annexations, extends water hookup grace period to 10 years

The Westmont Village Board on Thursday approved involuntary annexation of two pockets of unincorporated land along the village boundary and amended its ordinance to give newly annexed properties up to 10 years before they are required to connect to the Village of Westmont water system.

The board voted to annex parcels near West 50th Street and South Richmond Avenue and a second group near Birchwood Court and South Richmond. The motions to approve the annexations passed after public comment and discussion of water and tax impacts.

Why it matters: The annexations bring parcels that are surrounded by Westmont infrastructure into the village for equity of service and local regulation. Some residents and property owners raised concerns about taxes, utility hookups and the timing of any mandatory connection to village water. Village officials said annexation can change which local taxing bodies collect property taxes and may add village taxes and fees to a homeowner’s bill.

Board discussion and public comment focused on practical consequences. A resident who identified herself as Zuleika Aguirre asked whether school district assignments would change; the village manager responded, "No. They stay in the same school district." Staff estimated the typical net increase in property-related costs for a household from the change in taxing bodies and services at about $800 a year, saying that figure is an estimate and that specific amounts vary by parcel and taxing district.

Officials described technical issues for some parcels, including shared private wells, location of existing water mains, and historic recapture agreements for prior developer-built water mains. Public works staff said some homeowners already receive village water while others would face substantial costs to run new service lines under wide streets and to reconfigure on-site plumbing. The board said it has in past annexation phases sometimes waived tap fees for a limited period and that it would continue to use implementation accommodations where justified.

A key change adopted during the meeting was an amendment to the annexation ordinance that increases the grace period before a mandatory hookup to village water from five years to 10 years, unless a triggering event occurs (for example, major remodeling, new building or failed well that the county will not allow to be replaced). The board first voted to reconsider the prior ordinance and then approved the annexations with the amended condition. Trustees moved and seconded the motions during the meeting; the actions were approved by the board.

Board members also discussed coordination with neighboring Willowbrook and Clarendon Hills over boundary agreements and noted one remaining multi-jurisdictional area will be resolved through separate talks among the three communities. Staff advised that other local services change on annexation: library district membership and park district membership may change and fire protection would shift to the Village of Westmont’s fire department rather than a separate fire district.

The board took the annexation votes after a period of public explanation and staff Q&A; trustees signaled the village’s intent to use flexibility in enforcing hookup requirements and to consider parcel-specific circumstances before imposing mandatory connections.

Ending: The annexations were approved and recorded at the meeting; staff said property tax and service changes will be reflected in future bills and that residents with questions should contact village staff for parcel-specific cost estimates and next steps.