Several residents spoke before the Kendall County commissioners during their meeting last week, pressing for the denial of the Lily Ranch development’s 80-acre second phase variances. In the end, commissioners approved the variances but they made it clear this wasn’t a development they were fond of and that this was just an initial step in a longer and more detailed process.
This was the second time in December the commissioners heard the request for the variances to allow the second phase of the Lily Ranch development as the agenda item died earlier last month when County Judge Darrel Lux’s motion to approve failed to receive a second from any commissioner.
Several similar concerns from residents were presented, including water-quality impacts, stormwater drainage, density and more, but the commissioners were clear these were not issues county officials control once a development identifies a water source other than wells in the Cow Creek Groundwater Conservation District. With the threat of lawsuits always looming, the commissioners essentially had their hands tied and approved the variances.
