Will County committee accepts developer-funded roadway dedication for Romeo Road in Romeoville

The Will County Public Works and Transportation Committee on March 19 voted to accept a property dedication and a developer payment to cover roadway improvements tied to the proposed Monarch Grove development at the southeast corner of Romeo Road and Weber Road in Romeoville.

Permit Manager Kyle Catalano told the committee the county’s permitting process requires developments to provide certain improvements such as left- and right-turn lanes and that staff saw an opportunity to coordinate those required improvements with ongoing Weber Road work. "This measure is accepting a donation, which is a cost estimate that our consultant put together for the developer's share of their roadway improvements," Catalano said.

County Engineer Jeff Ronaldson said the acceptance is allowed under county ordinance and that the committee has the authority to grant the donation without forwarding it to the full county board. "It's the way it's written in the ordinance," Ronaldson said.

Member Balich questioned the source and size of the payment, asking, "So this $377,000 and some change, that is what's being donated to us by Kimley Horn?" Catalano replied that Kimley Horn, the developer's engineer, reviewed the consultant's cost estimate and the developer will submit the money to cover the developer's portion of the roadway work.

The committee approved the acceptance by motion and voice vote. Committee members discussed that developments typically dedicate right-of-way for future improvements and that coordinating construction avoids redoing work when adjacent projects occur.

The vote carried; the committee did not refer the item to the full county board.