Crystal Lake Breaks Word, Condemns TIF Land

That was quick.

The first time I heard Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley say no condemnation was November 2, 2005. That was the night of the TIF hearings for the Main Street and Vulcan Lakes projects. Here’s what he said:

I can say this. At no time has this city council considered…using our condemnation authority in any TIF we have contemplated. If property owners have that concern, they are false.

And, before that, the city’s consultant said it, too, but, I forgot, that was specifically on the Main Street TIF project, not the Vulcan Lakes project.

Thanks to the DVD of the October 10, 2006, City Council workshop meeting, I can provide you with Shepley's words and, for five bucks, you can see him speak them:

We already promised we would not use condemnation in this project.

The two-term lawyer-politician couldn’t get much clearer than that, could he?

And, what did Daily Herald reporter Chuck Keeshan discover yesterday at the McHenry County courthouse?

Three condemnation suits against Vulcan Lands, Inc.

Shepley told reporter Keeshan that the land needed to gain access to the Vulcan Lakes project was “pencil-thin.”

Now, it should not have been a surprise that Crystal Lake did not have access to the Vulcan Lake.

At least not to those who attended the Vulcan Lakes TIF hearing.

I brought it up.

McHenry County Blog even wrote a story about in on October 31, 2005, entitled,

City of Crystal Lake Has No Access to Vulcan Lakes

Read Vulcan’s spokesman Joshua Robbins’ quote in Keeshan's article:

We have serious concerns about the precedent this sets for all property owners (in the area). We are going to take whatever steps are necessary to protect our property and protect our rights in this matter.

Of course, the property is worth more now than before the TIF was created.

The case goes to court May 10th.

Posted first at McHenry County Blog.