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Wauconda Park District wins approval for Banks Lake marina overhaul
Summary
The village board approved a conditional use permit and PUD allowing the Wauconda Park District to renovate the Banks Lake marina — demolishing three buildings, widening the entry, rebuilding the boat launch, and adding an accessible kayak launch, boardwalk and native shoreline plantings. Construction and permitting timelines were discussed.
The Wauconda Village Board on Jan. 20 approved a conditional use permit and planned unit development that clears the way for a major renovation of the Banks Lake marina at 223 East Liberty Street.
The project, proposed by the Wauconda Park District, calls for demolishing three existing buildings, widening the single‑lane entrance to a two‑lane (one‑in, one‑out) driveway, renovating and replacing the existing boat launch in its current footprint, and adding a floating accessible kayak and canoe launch, a boardwalk, a picnic shelter and native shoreline plantings. The park district said the project was part of a master plan supported by an Illinois Department of Natural Resources grant awarded in 2025.
"Wauconda Park District is requesting the village consider a conditional use permit for improvements to the marina on Banks Lake on Route 176 adjacent to Docks Bar and Grill," a park district representative told the board. Tim Staten, executive director of the Wauconda Park District, said the district brought designers and a construction manager to present details and to coordinate construction logistics with nearby businesses.
Designer Lacey Lawrence of Hitchcock Design Group reviewed existing site conditions and the refined site plan, noting the plan keeps all existing piers, relocates some parking stalls, adds an accessible parking space and connects the site to the downtown walkway. "We are proposing inlet structures in the parking area to capture and treat the water," Lawrence said, describing erosion controls and native plantings along the shoreline.
Trustees focused questions on construction impacts and permitting. The project team said early demolition bids have been received, demolition could begin this winter with a demolition start near March 1 identified in discussion, and launch construction was estimated to begin in June, which would likely make the launch unavailable for the spring season. The team said they will prepare a logistics plan to coordinate temporary access changes and public notification and that the Army Corps review was not required for an in‑kind maintenance replacement.
The board approved the conditional use permit and PUD by unanimous roll call.
Next steps include submitting roadway and permitting applications and finalizing construction bids and a logistics/communications plan for the public and neighboring businesses.
