Lemont board clears deannexation of 17025 Davie Road, awards water‑main contract as residents protest proposed truck stop

The Lemont Village Board on Sept. 22 approved an ordinance to disconnect a roughly 22‑acre parcel at 17025 Davie Road and accepted a memorandum of understanding that includes a $100,000 payment to the village for projected future road wear, while also awarding a contract for the 2025 water‑main improvements and receiving the village's annual comprehensive financial report.

The parcel at 17025 Davie Road in Will County was annexed to Lemont about 25 years ago and, board members said, will be removed from the village and incorporated into the adjacent community of Woodridge once the disconnection agreement is executed and recorded with Will County. Village Administrator George Marin said, “This is a property of about 22 acres of property in Will County … It was annexed to the village of Lemont back in, about a little over 25 years ago now,” and confirmed the boundary agreement affecting the property expired in July.

The vote concluded a consent‑agenda item that also included vehicle and equipment purchases and other routine approvals. The board later passed the separate ordinance that formally disconnects the Davie Road parcel once the agreed terms are executed.

Why it matters: the disconnection shifts local jurisdiction and future permitting for that land to another municipality and removes the parcel from Lemont's municipal boundaries, while the $100,000 payment is intended to reimburse the village for potential future road wear tied to expected development on the site. Residents at the meeting said they are concerned about future uses on the site and about the community process for major projects.

Audit highlights and fiscal context

Finance staff presented the village's annual comprehensive financial report for the year ended April 30, 2025. Darshana (finance staff) told the board the audit field work began in February and finished in July. Joe Lightcap, managing director for Baker Tilly, told the board the firm issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the financial statements and praised the village's reporting. Lightcap said, “We once again issued a clean or unmodified opinion on the financial statements.”

The presentation listed several fund balances and liabilities: the general fund ended the year with about $10,000,000, meeting the village reserve policy of roughly 35 percent; the water fund had a cash balance of about $12,000,000 intended as a reserve for future water and sewer replacements; the property maintenance fund ended the year near $6,000,000; and the village's long‑term debt fell to about $37,000,000 from nearly $40,000,000 the prior year, a point the mayor flagged as a continuing fiscal responsibility.

Water‑main contract, scope narrowing

The board approved Resolution R‑70‑25 to award the 2025 water‑main replacement contract. Morrow Sewer was the low bidder at $1,469,270. Public‑works staff said they will narrow the project scope to match the available budget by postponing the Illinois Street and Yonge Street segments, which would reduce the immediate contract amount to about $950,000 while keeping Morrow Sewer as the recommended low‑bidder contractor. Construction was described as likely to begin this fall, with a preconstruction meeting planned in the next few weeks.

Planning and licensing decisions

The board also approved several planning and licensing measures during the meeting: an ordinance increasing the number of Class A‑3 liquor licenses to accommodate a new business called The Club, an indoor golf simulator and food/beverage venue in the Gorski Building (to be operated by the Kolhanick family); a major amendment to a planned unit development for State Express on a 10.95‑acre parcel at 10800 Route 83; and the formal ordinance disconnecting 17025 Davie Road discussed above.

Public comment: strong opposition to proposed truck stop near Pleasantdale

The meeting's public‑comment period focused heavily on a proposed truck‑stop/gas station development proposed near the unincorporated Pleasantdale neighborhood. Multiple residents said they fear groundwater contamination, increased traffic and safety risks, noise, and other community harms. Residents cited well‑and‑septic household dependences, proximity to Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve, and concerns about air and soil contamination from fuel storage.

Wendy Berliner of the Pleasantdale area told the board that residents feel excluded from decisions affecting their neighborhood and summarized her view this way: “Taxation without representation.” Other speakers raised alleged regulatory and operational violations at an existing gas station at 83 and Main — including observed corrosion, open tank venting and overnight truck idling — and urged the board to enforce existing conditions before approving any second location. One audience member asked the board to require an environmental‑impact assessment if development proceeds.

Board process and next steps

Board and staff repeatedly told speakers that any formal application for the Lamont Road truck‑stop site would go first to the Planning and Zoning Commission for review, where neighbors would have expanded opportunities to present testimony, hear expert analysis, and attend multiple public meetings. The board noted it has not received formal development plans for the Davie Road parcel and that an application has not been submitted for the truck‑stop site. When an application is filed, standard review, hearings and technical review will be required.

Ceremonial and other items

Police Sgt. Nicholas Pappas was sworn in during a promotion ceremony at the meeting; the mayor administered the oath. The board also received updates on downtown rail‑safety improvements and local events.

Votes at a glance

- Consent agenda (minutes, disbursements, surplus property ordinance O‑45‑25, resolutions R‑66‑25 through R‑69‑25 authorizing purchases): Motion by Trustee Forzley; second Trustee Snagowski; roll call — Trustee Kittridge: yes; Trustee McClafferty: yes; Trustee Shaughnessy: yes; Trustee Snagowski: yes; Trustee Stapleton: absent; Trustee Borsley: yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance O‑46‑25 (increase number of Class A‑3 liquor licenses for The Club at the Gorski Building): Moved Trustee McClafferty; second Trustee Snagowski. Roll call: Kittridge: yes; McClafferty: yes; Shaughnessy: yes; Snagowski: yes; Stapleton: absent; Borsley: yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance O‑47‑25 (major amendment to preliminary/final PUD O‑23‑24 and O‑38‑24, Parcel 1 — State Express, 10.95 acres at 10800 Route 83): Moved Trustee Kittridge; second Trustee Shaughnessy. Roll call: Kittridge: yes; McClafferty: yes; Shaughnessy: yes; Snagowski: yes; Stapleton: absent; Borsley: yes. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance O‑48‑25 (officially disconnect property at 17025 Davie Road): Moved Trustee Shaughnessy; second Trustee Snagowski. Roll call: Kittridge: yes; McClafferty: yes; Shaughnessy: yes; Snagowski: yes; Stapleton: absent; Borsley: yes. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution R‑70‑25 (award contract for 2025 water‑main improvements to Morrow Sewer): Moved Trustee McClafferty; second Trustee Kittridge. Roll call: Kittridge: yes; McClafferty: yes; Shaughnessy: yes; Snagowski: yes; Stapleton: absent; Borsley: yes. Outcome: approved (staff will narrow scope to fit budget as described).

Discussion vs. decision

The board distinguished between items acted on at the meeting (listed above) and potential future projects that have not yet been submitted as formal applications (the proposed Lamont Road truck‑stop). Staff reiterated that formal reviews, technical reports, environmental review (if required), and multiple public hearings would be part of any future planning and zoning process.

Ending

The board adjourned after taking the votes above and congratulating Sergeant Nicholas Pappas on his promotion. The next regular meeting date will be posted on the village calendar.