20 | December 5, 2019 | The wilmette beacon SOUND OFF wilmettebeacondaily.com A Word From the (Former) President Posted to WilmetteBeaconDaily.com 2 days ago Back to the drawing board at Canal Shores John Jacoby Contributing Columnist What’s going on at Canal Shores Golf Course? One year has passed since the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) granted Cook County an easement to build a “public road” along the tenth fairway that would ruin the tenth hole. The road would provide access to a landlocked parcel controlled by the Keefe Family Trust so that single family homes can be developed there. As best I can determine, there’s nothing going on before any of the public agencies involved — MWRD, the County, the Village of Wilmette, the Wilmette Park District, and the City of Evanston. This isn’t surprising, because in my opinion, the plan proposed last year will never receive all the necessary governmental approvals, and the Keefe Trust probably realizes this. Before explaining, I’m suggesting here that the public agencies and the public itself should acknowledge an important point: The Keefe Trust may be entitled to an easement as a matter of law. Depending on how the landlocked condition was created, Illinois law may require an adjoining property owner (MWRD in this situation) to allow an easement across the adjoining property so that the landlocked property can be accessed and developed. It’s noteworthy that the Keefe Trust is paying property taxes without the right to access and develop the property. This strikes me (and probably would strike an Illinois court) as unfair. However, assuming that the Keefe Trust is entitled to an easement, that assumption says nothing about the location of the easement. The easement granted by MWRD runs a distance of 426 feet from Maple Avenue, south to the Keefe property, all in Wilmette. It runs behind seven homes fronting on Golf Terrace, and it diminishes these homeowners’ ability to enjoy their back yards. It destroys the Course’s tenth hole, and it diminishes the overall golfing experience. By contrast, MWRD could satisfy any legal obligation it owes the Keefe Trust by granting an easement running a distance of only 279 feet from Isabella Street north through Evanston to the Keefe property. (In this area, there’s a strip of land between Isabella and the Keefe property that’s part of Evanston.) A road built on this easement would not adjoin or affect any existing home sites. It would not touch the Course. It would require less paving of pervious surface. It would cost less to build and, if taxpayers are footing the bill, it would save taxpayers’ money. As shown on the nearby drawing, the advantages of an easement from Isabella are obvious. So why did MWRD grant an easement from Maple instead? I can think of only one reason: A highly politicized process undermined common sense and subordinated the public interest. One of the owners of the Keefe Trust is a powerful State Senator who’s highly influential in deciding whether legislation affecting MWRD and Cook County gets passed, and which Democratic candidates get slated. His advocacy, along with Evanston’s mystifying opposition to the Isabella easement, undoubtedly made it difficult for some MWRD and County officials to oppose the Maple easement. Although I’ve spoken to no one on Wilmette’s Board of Trustees about Sketch shows the approximate location of the approved Maple easement and of the potential Isabella easement in relation to the Keefe property. PHOTO Submitted this subject, I can’t imagine that the Board would ever approve a subdivision of the Keefe property when, among other reasons, it would be accessed by a non-dedicated roadway running over a “temporary” easement that expires in 75 years. I submit that it would be a waste of everyone’s time for the County and the Keefe Trust to continue pursuing this plan. They’d be better off going back to MWRD and requesting a dedicated and permanent Isabella access. The recently-announced retirement of the powerful State Senator, combined with last year’s changes in the MWRD Board’s membership, might lead to a new plan that actually gives top priority to the public interest. THE HIGHLAND PARK LANDMARK Public expresses frustration regarding barge funding in HP Eleven Highland Park locals gave public comment at a regular City Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 25, calling for the city to team up with the park district to find funding for a deteriorating barge on Park Avenue beach. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone forever,” said Peter Mordini, a Highland Park resident. “That barge there is the lifeline and heartbeat of this town.” Residents’ frustration comes after the park district announced they will not be allocating any taxpayer money to repair the barge. To do so, they would need to find between $850,000 and $1 million, as previously reported by the Highland Park Landmark. They are encouraging locals to find creative funding sources to replace the barge. Reporting by Ella Lee, Freelance Reporter. Full story at HPLandmarkDaily.com. THE LAKE FOREST LEADER Grenier to step down as Lake Bluff Village trustee Lake Bluff Village Trustee Eric Grenier will step down from his position due to his upcoming move out of the village. Announcement was made by Village President Kathleen O’Hara at the board’s regular meeting Monday, Nov. 25. She announced Grenier will step down from the board following its Dec. 10 meeting due to his upcoming move to another state. Board will say its goodbyes at meeting. Reporting by Todd Marver, Freelance Reporter. Full story at LakeForestLeader- Daily.com. THE GLENCOE ANCHOR Cub Scouts, Hometown Heroes program thank local first responders Glencoe Cub Scout Troop 28 donated more than $500 worth of popcorn to Glencoe Public Safety the afternoon of Nov. 23 as a gesture to thank the officers for their service and commitment to the village. The donation was part of the Hometown Heroes program, which allows community members to buy popcorn from the Scouts that is then delivered to local first responders. “It was a way that the community could doubly support Glencoe,” said Lisa Bell, this year’s “Popcorn Kernel” — the leader of the annual fundraiser — and mom to one of the scouts. Funds raised went to the troop, and the goods benefited the public safety officers. Please see NFYN, 23
wilmettebeacondaily.com wilmette the wilmette beacon | December 5, 2019 | 21 Give yourself the gift of a Spring Market ready home! Unwrap the potential of your home with Compass Coming Soon and Concierge. The North Shore’s Mother-Daughter Team Jackie & Barb Pepoon pepoonteam@compass.com 847.962.5537 565 Lincoln Ave • Winnetka IL 60093
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