In the Daily Herald, July 14, 2008
Digging out in Harvard: Score one for the
environmentalists.
A state appeals court ruled last week that Harvard
officials improperly approved plans for a gravel mine on 792 acres near
the city's northwest border because they did not first consult with the
Illinois Department of Natural Resources.
The unanimous ruling, which upheld a 2007 decision by a
McHenry County judge, is a victory for the McHenry County Defenders, a
local conservation group hoping to put a halt to mining operations until
more study of its environmental impact can be done.
The Defenders sued Harvard trying to block the city's
deal to allow mining by Meyer Material Co. the suit claimed, among other
things, that the city did not adhere to a state requirement that it
consult with the DNR before allowing mining operations.
In particular, the group cited concerns about the
mining's impact on the Blanding's turtle and slippershell mussel, two
threatened species found on the site. Questions also surfaced over how
the work would affect the nearby Becks Woods and Piscasaw Creek nature
areas.
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=220500&src=4
Is this the best use of
our land?
A First-Timer's Guide:
Dealing
with Rezoning Issues in McHenry County
Get Involved:
Requirements that have to be met by Petitioner before hearing by Zoning
Board of Appeals (ZBA)
-Petition with legal description of
property & statement of present & proposed zoning must be
filed.
-Legal notice of the public hearing
must be published not less than 15 days or more than 30 days in
advance in newspaper that is published in a township or road district
affected by proposed petition.
-Legal notice must be sent to all
adjoining property owners by certified mail not less 15 or more than
30 days before such hearing.
-Notice must also be sent by certified
mail to the McHenry County Conservation District , all municipalities
within 1 1/2 miles of Property in Question (PIQ), all fire
protection & school districts covering PIQ, and the road commissioner
& township supervisors where the property is located.
-Each parcel or block of parcels must
be posted with a zoning poster stating the date of the public hearing.
-Petitioner must apply for a Natural
Resources Information Report (NRI) on property with the McHenry
County Soil & Water Conservation District.
-Prior to hearing, all required
documents & exhibits must be submitted to the Department of
Planning. An analysis & report
shall be prepared by the staff
engineer of the Planning Department of the ZBA.
-Petitioner must pay fee in advance of
hearing. Based on acreage.
Remember - if you
don't take action, no one else will fight for you.
You can make a difference!
Good Luck!
|
Environmental
Defenders of McHenry County 
