Planning board backs voluntary annexation of North Grand Avenue properties amid solar‑farm concerns

The Antioch Planning and Zoning Board on July 2 recommended that the Village Board accept a petition for voluntary annexation of not less than 14 properties along North Grand Avenue in unincorporated Antioch. Staff framed the proposal as a village‑led effort to improve connections to the chain of lakes, better access to Lake Marie and Bluff Lake, and to bring municipal services to petitioning property owners.

Howard, the planning director, described the staff report and said the packet includes certified mail receipts, a map from Lake County GIS and a list of the subject addresses. He said the initial staff list shows 14 residences that have filed petitions and that the number could grow to 17 as additional petitions arrived since the staff report was prepared on June 20.

Public comment focused on the perceived motive for annexation. Tom DeBalo (40824 North Avenue) told the board he and many neighbors supported annexation to "thwart a building of a solar farm across the street from our subdivision." The chair interrupted to clarify that any project beyond the parcels petitioning to join is not part of the annexation decision and reminded speakers that annexation is voluntary for the properties that petitioned.

Rich Becker (40764 North Grand Avenue) asked whether the village would have oversight over a Lake County conditional‑use permit for a small‑scale solar installation; the board and counsel explained that village zoning applies only within municipal boundaries and that the village has a solar ordinance for sites within the village but cannot retroactively change county approvals outside its boundaries.

Village legal counsel also explained an update to annexation rules (effective 01/01/2023) that can allow waterborne contiguity annexations in certain circumstances; counsel described that approach as atypical and said staff would continue legal review. Board members debated whether the recommendation should cover the specific 14 properties listed or a motion phrased "not less than 14" to allow additional petitioning properties; the board ultimately approved a motion recommending voluntary annexation of not less than 14 properties and passed the motion on a recorded vote.

Next steps: the recommendation will be transmitted to the Village Board for action; staff said the village would cover annexation expenses and will coordinate required notifications to affected taxing districts.