Say NO to RV Park
on South Solon Rd Spring Grove, IL
– THANK YOU–
Update 4.21.2021 -After the 3.5 hour meeting-
We are happy to report that the Motion FAILED with a 5 (NO) – 2 (YES) vote at the Planning & Zoning Commission Meeting.
The Bagby family has withdrawn their proposal to annex into the village and have stated that they will be exploring other options in the future.
Please continue signing the petition if you have not done so already just in case!
We will keep you posted if anything further develops.
Thank you for coming together and advocating for our community.
The website will remain operational and serve as a reference to material as well as for any future updates…
There are already great alternatives in our area just minutes away!
We are Opposed to the RV Park on South Solon Road
Below are some images of the proposed RV Park as well as reasons against it.
Planned Site Map
Reasons Against The Proposal
Decreased Property Values
Property values of individual residences along South Solon Road and surrounding areas are $250k to almost $1 million in personal homes.
Many people that have moved to the area have done so to get away from noisy, overpopulated cities and into a safe & quiet neighborhood.
Having an RV park nearby with the proposed 192 RV Spaces crammed into 40’x80′ spots will create noise, traffic and air pollution due to campfires. All these factor into the price of residential homes and will cause a massive decrease in values.
There are currently over 400 residential lots in the nearby communities with a combined Market Value of $125 million, they pay more than $3.5 million in combined property taxes every year!
Safety Concerns
Traffic & Road Accidents
The intersection of South Solon and US Route 12 is already a dangerous place when it comes to traffic accidents. There have been over 200 traffic stops or accidents in the past 5 years on US Route 12 stretching from South Solon to North Solon.
Many residents are concerned that the increased congestion caused by RVs waiting to check into the campground could potentially prevent first responder emergency vehicles from getting to the homes situated around the campground needing help.
Crime
While camping gets people back to nature, it seems that even good campgrounds having a mass of over 1,000+ guests can potentially increase illegal activity in our area. Such crimes like theft, assault and other disturbances may occur as a result of the campground. This most likely will cause local law enforcement resources to be strained by constantly being tied up at the campground property. This is not a desirable feature for our quiet residential Spring Grove neighborhoods.
Drugs & Alcohol
Drugs and Alcohol in the RV park are also a concern. Although the park is proposed to be a ‘family campground,’ it is difficult to enforce rules related to drugs and alcohol without police involvement.
Country Thunder
Country Thunder Music Festival in Twin Lakes WI is just minutes away from our area. When the event occurs, a potential influx of mainly young, intoxicated individuals descend upon the area. The RV park will provide an alternative stay, causing a probable uptick in drunk driving as well as a strain to our police and fire departments.
Environmental Impact
The property of the proposed RV park is currently zoned as Farmland and is located near the Nippersink Creek. The area to the South and West of the proposed RV park is part of the McHenry County Conservation District. There is no access to the Nippersink, but that may not stop curious individuals from venturing outside of property lines.
The proposed RV park structures will require sewage to the campground in form of a septic tank. The proposed pool will require draining and could contaminate the creek and surrounding areas. Environmental impact studies need to be done in order to ensure our wildlife and neighbors are not negatively impacted.
There will be no going back. Once this land is filled with gravel and the wetlands are encroached upon and disturbed, this land will not be able to return to peaceful farmland.
Light Pollution
The proposed high density development will create light pollution and threaten the life of nocturnal pollinators on conserved land (owls, bats, fireflies, moths, beetles, and bees).
Endangered & Protected Species
Protected wildlife, such as blanding’s turtles and mussels, have been discovered nearby in the Nippersink Creek close to where the proposed RV park is located. Due to its clear, spring fed water and continuous sand and gravel bottom, Nippersink Creek supports more mussel species than any other Northeastern Illinois creek, including 11 state endangered or threatened species. In addition, 30 different native fish species swim in its clear waters including eight pollution intolerant species like the state endangered pugnose shiner and blacknose shiner. These existing wetland and marsh areas also provide habitat for chorus frogs, leopard frogs, salamanders, blanding’s turtles, and norther water snakes.
RV Parks Are Noisy and Crowded
This RV park has the potential to create noise pollution by bringing 192 trucks and campers to South Solon and surrounding local roads, loud music potentially played at each of these 192 sites, a multitude of pets – specifically dogs- possibly barking at the 192 sites and noise from a mass gathering of campground guests in excess of 1,000 people.
Although the proposed RV park will have quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM, people will likely still live their lives, driving, talking, and doing whatever they planned to do on their “camping” trip.
It Goes Against Spring Grove’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan
The goals and objectives as established by Spring Grove are specific in outlining expectations of the community and future developments.
Character and Environment
Goal 5: Make certain that future development is sensitive to the natural topography, views, drainage patterns, existing vegetation, and historic or agricultural structures which serve as landmarks for Spring Grove.
Residential Development – Goal 2: Protect existing neighborhoods by ensuring appropriate residential land use designations adjacent to established neighborhoods.
Parks and Open Space – Goal 2: Promote respect, conservation, enhancement and protection of important natural features and resources.
The proposed RV park violates many of the outlined goals of Spring Grove’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan – these are just a few. This proposed RV park will be an old farmland – flat like a football field- an improper fit for the residential and agricultural surrounding area not offering anything more than man-made attractions.
Village of Spring Grove Municipal Code Book
Chapter 15 – Zoning Ordinance – July 7, 2020 Page 40 of 46
1532.7 Prohibited Accessory Uses in All Zoning Districts.
The following activities are not considered accessory to a principal use on any site and are prohibited in all zoning districts:
A. The use of a travel trailer, recreational vehicle, or tent as a permanent or temporary residence, or for storage purposes.
B. The use of any motor vehicle, trailer, or shipping container, as a structure or an accessory structure in which, out of which or from which any goods or items of personal property are sold or stored, any services performed, or other businesses conducted except with a temporary use permit.
C. The selling of third-party motorized vehicles.
1532.9 Prohibited Accessory Use in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts.
The parking or storage of a travel trailer, recreational vehicle or boat is not
considered accessory to a principal use on any site and is prohibited in commercial
and industrial zoning districts
Source: https://www.springgrovevillage.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Chapter-15-Zoning.pdf
Say NO to RV Park on South Solon Rd
Richmond IL , Spring Grove IL