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Homewood to see through settlement process, outcome not guaranteed 

Homewood plans to see through the process of its settlement with the developer of the property on land of the former Calumet Country Club, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the development will be approved.

“What the village has promised (Diversified Partners) as part of that settlement agreement is a process. Part of that process is consideration of rezoning the property and also consideration of creating a TIF district and also some other incentives,” Homewood Village Attorney Christopher Cummings said. “The village does not guarantee an outcome.”

The Homewood village board had approved the settlement with Diversified Partners of Arizona at its Jan. 26 meeting. The developer was petitioning to disconnect from Homewood and negotiate annexation by Hazel Crest.

But on Tuesday, Hazel Crest Mayor Vernard Alsberry’s publicly spoke out against the proposed warehouse distribution center.  Prior to that video which was published on social media, Alsberry said he was “neutral” on the project. He now says Hazel Crest will not annex the land. 

During a Wednesday meeting to review the establishment of a TIF district for the property, Cummings said if the land disconnects from Homewood and Hazel Crest doesn’t annex it, it would be under the jurisdiction of Cook County.

“The settlement does not guarantee that the property is going to be rezoned or that a TIF district is going to be created,” Cummings said. “The village does intend to follow through on the process because that’s what we’re obligated to do.”

A meeting of the Homewood planning and zoning commission is scheduled to finish Wednesday evening. It was postponed after three hours last week. A public hearing regarding the rezoning of the property from open space to light manufacturing is on the agenda.

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