Council approves annexation and conditional-use permit for 102.09-acre golf property on North John Street

The Mckenry City Council voted April 6 to approve a conditional-use permit (CUP) and a companion annexation ordinance for an approximately 102.09-acre tract commonly described as 820 North John Street.

Staff explained the CUP is drafted to become effective only upon annexation; the ordinance language conditions the CUP on the property’s annexation into the city. The petitioner requested the CUP to guarantee that the existing golf-course operations — and a limited proposed garage expansion — could continue after annexation. "This ordinance does not go into effect on property we don't have control over. It only goes into effect upon annexation," a city official told the council.

Several council members questioned the procedural order — whether to annex first or grant the CUP first — and the city attorney noted both approaches are legally workable when the ordinance expressly conditions one action on the other. One council member asked whether approving annexation first could leave the city exposed if the subsequent CUP were denied; staff replied the ordinance language addresses that by tying the CUP’s effect to annexation.

After discussion the council adopted both ordinances by roll call. The annexation ordinance amends city boundaries to include the tract in McHenry County and the CUP will take effect upon the completion of annexation formalities and recording.