Fox Lake condo looks to expand as neighbors object

A Fox Lake condominium development built in 1970 as a summer destination, then converted for mostly full-time residents, is looking to expand.

Developers of Vacation Village, on the village's far northwest side, want to add 49 units. They would range in size from 1,200 to 1,400 square feet, which is larger than any of the existing units.

Neighbors of the development have balked because they do not want the already large development to expand.

They have also said they do not want the village to change the zoning designation of the parcel. Neighbors fear it could open the door for the developer to scrap the current plan and return with one for even more units.

"So, we want a contractor agreement in place to ensure that doesn't happen," said nearby resident William Dam.

Fox Lake Building Commissioner Bill Hart said the village is closely watching the proposal to ensure it doesn't change.

"It has also been agreed to put a developers agreement in place for the project to keep the number of units down," Hart said. "But this expansion is something the developers have always wanted when they first proposed the development in the '70s."

Vacation Village was created as a summer condo destination for people looking to stay on the Chain O' Lakes.

However, as the village evolved from a weekend destination to a year-round community, Vacation Village and its small, one-bedroom condominiums also changed.

Now, village officials said only one-quarter of the 500-square-foot to 1,200-square-foot condos are used for weekend getaways. The rest of the 450 units are used as year-round homes.

Developers want to build nine buildings of apartment-style condominiums.

Hart said developers have agreed to keep 5 wooded acres untouched to ensure there is enough green space between the development and nearby homes.

The village board is expected to vote on the issue in the next two weeks. The Fox Lake zoning and planning boards have approved the project but requested the developer agreement be put in place.

"It's going forward, and we'll see how the trustees react," Hart said. "But, like I said, this is something that has been planned for a long time."