McHenry Times

City of Harvard City Council met Nov. 22.

Here are the minutes provided by the council:

Mayor Kelly called the public hearing to order at 6:30 pm. Clerk Moller called roll to establish a quorum. Aldermen present: Haderlein, Schulz, Lavallee, Carncross, Gorman, Meza, Perkins and Luna. City Administrator Nelson was absent. Also present: Treasurer/Finance Director Bejot, Code Enforcement Officer Nutley, Chief Bauman, Supt. Parks & Rec Knop, Supt. Public Works Kruckenberg, Supt. Utilities Grant, Attorney Brandy Quance and members of the audience.

The parties of interest in the petition were present. City Clerk Moller noted the Certificate of Publication from the Northwest Herald with a publication date of November 5, 2022.

Mayor Kelly asked for the identification and recording of any objectors. There were none.

Attorney Bernard Papp was present on behalf of the petitioners. Upon being sworn in, Attorney Papp presented testimony and gave a brief overview of the petitioner’s request with regard to an annexation agreement for the annexation of property to the City of Harvard and that upon annexation, the property be classified for zoning purposes as “T-C Technology Campus” which is the existing zoning of the remainder of the property. His client, CAI Investments, is a real estate investment/development firm with a national presence. They deal in large distressed properties as part of their function as well as new projects. The former Motorola property is a deteriorating asset and needs a substantial amount of work in order to be put to productive use. The petitioner purchased the property last year from the US Marshall’s Service which had taken jurisdiction of the property from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The subject property is a 12.984-acre vacant parcel on the west side of Harvard Hills Rd., in the southeast corner of the former Motorola property now owned by CAI Investments. The parcels to the south of what the petitioners are asking to annex were donated to the City and School District by Motorola. The subject parcel is basically an orphan parcel. When the petitioner approached the City about the possibility of a text amendment, the City requested that the petitioners annex the property at this time. Once annexed, the property will have the Technology Campus zoning designation. The petitioners don’t have any plans for construction or any improvements on the parcel. More likely than not, the parcel will remain vacant; it is simply being annexed.

Mayor Kelly asked if there were any questions by City Council members to the petitioners. At Alderwoman Haderlein’s inquiry, Mayor Kelly clarified that the proceeding is purely a hearing to allow the petitioner to present the annexation and allow for comments and questions from objectors and the City Council.

Mayor Kelly asked for the presentation of evidence by objectors. There were no objectors. There were no further questions or comments.

A motion was made by Alderman Schulz, seconded by Alderman Meza to close the hearing. All ayes. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 7:07 pm.

https://www.cityofharvard.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/city_council/meeting/14540/ccminutes2022-11-22caiannexagreement_0.pdf