MI Homes is proposing a new, nearly 200-unit residential development on land which Hawthorn Woods would need to incorporate, between Route 22 (Half Day Rd ) and Old McHenry Rd., adjacent to the Heron Creek Forest Preserve and in the first half-mile of the Rt. 53 corridor expansion. This proposed development is opposed for multiple reasons.

1. Traffic. Traffic to and from this proposed subdivision would use Half Day Road, Old McHenry Rd., and Krueger Rd. which are already extremely congested during high-traffic times. Traffic would also run through surrounding residential neighborhood roads which are not designed as through-streets. Despite the short traffic study commissioned by MI homes, residents know that our current road infrastructure is currently overstretched even without this potential new development.

2. Higher Property Taxes.  The approximately 200-unit development would draw a large influx of new families who are likely to increase capacity demands on local schools, libraries, and other public infrastructure, possibly culminating in higher property taxes to fund those services.  

3. Preserving the character of Hawthorn Woods, Long Grove, Lake Zurich and Kildeer. Hawthorn Woods’ motto is “Rural by design”. This proposed development has significant housing density as current plans call for 204 dwellings on 52 acres. This is contrary to the low-density housing layout we currently enjoy in this area, and is one of the reasons many of us chose to live in this community. Even if the density is decreased, the plan is opposed for additional reasons above.

4. Wildlife protection. This proposed development is in the old route 53 corridor that Hawthorn Woods has fought for decades to protect. It would diminish and displace wildlife given that the land is adjacent to Heron Creek Forest Preserve which is home to over 116 species of birds including a resident population of waterfowl and herons as well as six endangered species.