Homer Glen Approves $192,000 Communications Contract, Sets Conditions on Oak Meadow Lot (Homer Glen, IL) — A prospective homebuyer wanted assurance that a vacant lot could accommodate a house before purchasing it. Village trustees wanted to see how that house would fit before finalizing their approval.
That uncertainty drove an extended discussion at Homer Glen’s Oct. 28 Village Board meeting, where a request involving 40 feet of required lot width became a debate over what the village could promise a buyer before receiving final building plans.
The board ultimately approved the variance with an added condition requiring review of the proposed structure’s placement. Trustees also approved a communications agreement carrying $192,000 in first-year professional fees, ratified a four-year public works labor contract and advanced an expansion of Gas N Wash on 159th Street.
The residential case concerned Lot 5 in Oak Meadow, a subdivision approved by Will County in 1987, well before Homer Glen incorporated in 2001.
The corner lot measures 140 feet wide under the village’s zoning requirements, which call for 180 feet in that residential district. The requested variance would reduce the minimum width for that property; it would not change the lot’s boundaries.
The Plan Commission had recommended approval 6-0. But Trustee Rose Reynders wanted the board’s approval tied to seeing where a future house would sit.
“We would definitely like to see where the actual structure is going to be placed on the lot,” she said.
Patricia Muehler, the property owner and real estate broker marketing the remaining lots, questioned why additional conditions were necessary. She maintained that a buyer would still have to submit building plans and meet the village’s other requirements.
Her position was that the immediate request concerned the lot’s width. The eventual house, she argued, would go through its own review.
The buyer’s agent described the financial risk from the other side of the transaction: Her client would not close without confidence that the variance was secure. She wanted to avoid a purchase followed by a rejection that left him unable to build.
Planning records show the wooded property had already drawn concerns from neighbors about tree removal, drainage and the subdivision’s character. A conceptual site plan and floor plans had been submitted for illustration, but they were not final building plans.
Village Attorney Michael Pasquinelli explained that approving the reduced lot width would not waive other requirements that a future house might fail to meet.
“What they’re saying is that, yes, we’ll give you that 140 width,” he said. “However, we want to see the final plan on how it sits on the lot before it’s completely finalized.”
Mayor Christina Neitzke-Troike acknowledged the difficulty created when an older subdivision encounters current village rules. She said lots established before incorporation might warrant different treatment, while emphasizing that the board had to follow the code as written.
“I almost feel like they shouldn’t have to come back before the board for a variance,” she said. “However, that is how the code reads right now.”
Trustee Mike Lepore tried to reassure the parties that the board was supporting the request.
“Basically,” he said, “we’re saying yes.”
The amended variance passed unanimously among the five trustees present. Trustee Robert Schaller was absent.
Another unanimous vote committed the village to professional communications assistance as it prepares for decisions involving development, planning and water service.
Trustees approved an agreement with Chicago-based Public Communications Inc. for communications planning, content development, strategic advice and media relations. They also waived competitive bidding.
The selected service package lists $192,000 in first-year professional fees, excluding expenses. That consists of $48,000 in initial planning and assessment work and $12,000 a month in ongoing services.
Reynders said trustees had interviewed several firms and viewed the agreement as a way to improve the information reaching residents.
“A lot of information that goes out there is secondhand and it’s misinformation,” she said.
She described the goal as making village communications “100% accurate.”
Neitzke-Troike said residents sometimes expected the mayor to provide a continuous stream of updates about village activity.
“Many people in the village of Homer Glen think that the mayor should be like … the news network,” she said.
The agreement would support an existing village communications employee. Staff also identified a six-month performance review, including completed work and measures of resident reach and engagement. Either party may end the overall agreement with 30 days’ written notice, and individual monthly services may be discontinued under the adjustment terms.
Reynders emphasized that the village could scale back its use of the firm.
“We’ll see whether or not we need to use that $192,000 or use less,” she said.
The staff memo identified the comprehensive plan update, development along 159th Street and water service matters as priorities requiring clear public communication.
Trustees also ratified a collective bargaining agreement with the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 150 Public Employees Division, covering May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2030. The previous agreement expired in April.
Trustee Bart Holzhauser said the board had reviewed the terms at length.
“I think it’s a good deal for both sides,” he said.
Before the vote, Pasquinelli flagged clerical problems in the document, including a misspelled name and references to a 1996 calendar year. Trustees amended the approval to allow those errors to be corrected under the attorney’s review.
Village Manager Joe Baber sought assurance that the cleanup would leave the negotiated substance intact. With that understanding, the agreement passed 5-0.
On 159th Street, the board approved a final development plan and subdivision plat for a Gas N Wash expansion involving a vacuum center and restaurant on approximately two vacant acres east of its existing location.
Owner Len McEnery returned to the microphone after approval with an immediate request: signatures.
“We’re closing tomorrow morning on the property,” he said. “We couldn’t close before without the approval.”
Pasquinelli explained that several required signers were not present, so the plat would remain with the village to be executed.
Other approvals included a $37,954.59 Kubota utility vehicle for the Parks Department, an $8,080 prescribed burn at Heritage Park and a $4,300 replacement sign for Evlyn’s Gate Park. Officials said insurance would cover the sign. Approximately $1.94 million in accounts payable passed on the consent agenda.
The board also named Schaller and Trustee Nick Muller acting chairs of a new Long Run Creek task force.
Community recognition brought attention to work outside Village Hall. The Environment Committee presented its 25th annual Community and Nature in Harmony awards to three residents and four businesses, including restaurants recognized for going plastic-free at HomerFest.
Neitzke-Troike announced the village’s Nov. 8 Veterans Day celebration and reported that donors had contributed more than $8,000 toward care boxes for veterans.
Homer Glen Approves $192,000 Communications Contract, Sets Conditions on Oak Meadow Lot
