Village Board: MorningStar Talks Development; Youth Football Honored

MorningStar Annexation

Plans are on track for New Lenox to annex the strip center containing MorningStar Mission into the village.

During a public hearing Monday night, Marilyn Farmer of MorningStar and her attorney answered questions for the Village Board. Planning Administrator Robin Ellis said annexation was originally scheduled to happen a couple years ago, but road improvements in the area concerned the owners.

The property is located at 2571 E. Lincoln Hwy, just across Route 30 from the retail center with and . Jim Homco, a resident who lives just to the north of MorningStar, expressed concern with lighting and screening.

MorningStar would build a temporary parking lot behind the building to hold 63 cars, in part because of the impact of Route 30 construction. The site, which would be re-zoned to a commercial property when annexed, could be re-developed in the future.

Farmer said there's no immediate plans to change what's on the property, but it will happen at some point. A sidewalk will also be constructed on the west side of West Circle Drive.

Walmart Lot Extension

The board read a proposal to extend its approval of a site plan for one of the lots in the New Lenox Town Center, the development anchored by .

In July, the lot just west of Walmart was split into two. Goodwill is being constructed on one of the sub-lots, but developer John McVickers said the economic slowdown kept him from building on the other lot.

He smiled and crossed his fingers during the meeting, hoping that he wouldn't need another extension in a year.

Youth Football Honored

Players and coaches from the New Lenox Youth Football Association packed Village Hall on Monday and were recognized for the Super Light Junior Warriors and Junior Knights meeting in the 2011 River Valley Super Bowl.

The Junior Warriors lost their first game of the year but won the next 10, handing the Junior Knights their only loss of the season in the Super Bowl. The score of the championship was 12-6.

$10K for Food Pantry

Representatives from gave a giant $10,000 check to Kathie Johnson of the food pantry. Johnson said it was the biggest money donation the pantry has ever received.

The proceeds came from the first Pant for the Pantry 5K that Old Plank coordinated. The goal was to get 150 runners, but the bank far exceeded that with 302 participants. President Paul Slade said the bank plans to do the Pant for the Pantry every year now.

Bond Refunded

The board approved an ordinance refuding a 2002 bond that currently has $4.125 million remaining. By refunding the bond, the village will save at least $240,000. Administrator Kurt Carroll said it's an opportune time to refinance older debt.

Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention

The village joined hundreds of Illinois communities in proclaiming December the Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention month. Mayor Tim Baldermann said that especially during the holidays, it's important for people to drive safely and never get behind the wheel if they've been drinking.