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Orland Park trustees table annexation of homes around 109th Avenue and 153rd Street after resident concerns
Summary
Trustees deferred action on a proposed forced annexation affecting a cluster of unincorporated homes surrounded by the village, directing staff to reconvene residents for further outreach and financial detail on tax and connection costs.
The Village of Orland Park Board of Trustees on July 7 tabled consideration of a proposed annexation affecting properties near 109th Avenue and 153rd Street after sustained public comment and questions from trustees about tax impacts, water/sewer connections and resident protections.
Resident Kenneth Kroniak spoke during public comment on behalf of neighbors in the affected area, asking trustees to vote no on the proposed annexation and citing concerns about increased taxes, costly water and sewer connection fees (residents would be responsible for bringing service lines from mains to their properties), and the loss of the independent character many have lived with for decades. “We are collectively not convinced that annexation is in the best interest of our neighborhood,” Kroniak said and presented a petition with signatures.
Staff described the village’s strategic annexation program and said recent short‑term rental incidents in nearby unincorporated areas — including a large Airbnb event that drew an estimated 65 cars and a law-enforcement response — helped prompt consideration of the area for annexation. Staff also explained that some properties in the area already have water mains nearby and that the county will generally require connection when public water/sewer is available.
Trustees pressed staff for estimates of tax impacts and affirmed protections available in the village’s approach, such as memoranda of understanding to avoid forcing sidewalk or curb installation and the village’s past practice of placing infrastructure in the street while allowing homeowners to connect on their own schedule. Trustees asked for a simple, back-of-envelope estimate of tax increase (staff cited a typical village share around 6% of a property tax bill as a round number example) and directed staff to reconvene meetings with affected residents.
The board voted to table both the forced annexation ordinance and a related engineering proposal so staff and trustees can hold an additional meeting with homeowners, clarify financial implications, and explore voluntary versus forced approaches. Staff said a renotice would be needed depending on the path chosen. The tabling motion passed on roll call.
