Shorewood board approves phased amendment to GoPro annexation after debate over landscaping and parking

The Village of Shorewood on April 14 adopted an amendment to the 2020 annexation agreement for GoPro LLC that approves a phased completion schedule for site work the petitioner failed to construct as originally planned.

Staff planner Natalie Angles told the board that Kendall County has been withholding the final certificate of occupancy because several elements — an access drive, reconfigured parking and landscaping — were not built according to the approved site plan. "The proposal gives them until the end of next year to get that taken care of and to plant the grass as was originally planned," Angles said, adding that the village retains enforcement options if the owner does not meet the amendment’s deadlines.

Petitioner Jason (identified during the presentation) described delays caused by a general-contracting change, COVID-era inflation and temporary financing costs that he said made full compliance financially infeasible at once. "We put together a plan that we feel is affordable for us," he told the board, saying refinancing should be settled by June and that landscape contractors have been engaged.

Trustees pressed for specifics on landscaping counts, timing and responsibility for the expanded 194-space parking area that was installed without a permit. Angles said the developer has planted some screening and agreed to install additional landscaping by the end of this year, with roadway and grass work extending into 2028. "I don't love it," Angles said of allowing additional latitude, but she said the unusual situation — the site sits across a county line and was reviewed by Kendall County — made deferral to county enforcement a reasonable path.

Trustee Selfridge moved to approve the ordinance amending the annexation agreement and to waive the second reading. The motion carried on roll call; the board recorded one 'No' vote from Trustee Brockman and a majority of 'Yes' votes otherwise. Mayor Clarence C. DeBold urged the property owner to comply: "Please, gentlemen, abide by that ordinance and keep your part of the deal too," he said.

The amendment does not remove the village's enforcement options; staff said the alternative would be to require the owner to meet the original plan or pursue enforcement, which could lead to notices and court action. The amendment also defers some design conformance to Kendall County's ongoing oversight because the site falls on the county side of the border.