Oswego Committee of the Whole Meeting: Comprehensive Plan Update

The Oswego Village Board Committee of the Whole met on September 1, 2026, to discuss the update to the Comprehensive Plan. The meeting began with a public forum where multiple residents voiced opposition to proposed Route 31 concepts, including a hotel and high-density multifamily buildings. Following public comments, the board heard a detailed presentation from consultants on the key recommendations, goals, and strategies for the updated plan. The meeting was adjourned and will continue during the regular board meeting's staff reports section.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ellen Von Olin announced the Fox River cleanup event on September 19, part of "It's Your Fox River Day," and encouraged participation.
• George Stenitzer, representing the Backyard Property Protectors, presented a petition opposing the Route 31 concepts (hotel with up to 140 rooms and high-density multifamily buildings with up to 50 units per building). He argued these contradict the comprehensive plan's stated goal of preserving Oswego's rural character, would harm the Fox River environment, wildlife, and flood risks, and would increase costs for taxpayers. He requested independent studies, a public hearing with written notice to affected property owners, and alignment of the concepts with the plan's goals.
• PK McDonald opposed the hotel and convention center, citing lack of business demand, environmental damage from tree removal, and disruption to wildlife corridors, including deer and eagles.
• Mary McDonald expressed frustration with the online survey and echoed opposition, quoting a conservationist's post on the irreplaceable value of nature.
• Leonard Wass stated he was unaware of the plans and urged the board to expunge the Route 31 concept.
• Cindy Smith, whose property borders the site, opposed the hotel and apartments, citing increased traffic, property value impacts, and lack of notice. She noted her family's past support for village annexation to help the village expand.

Discussion Items

• Village President Kaufman clarified that the proposed hotel is not imminent and is a carryover from the 2015 concept plan, not a new project.
• The board moved to new business: Review and Discuss the Comprehensive Plan Materials and Update. Staff explained that the village contracted with the Lakota Group in July 2025 to update the plan, with community engagement, stakeholder interviews, and surveys. The plan is expected to be finalized by the end of 2026.
• Hannah Bader (Lakota Group) presented five themes: Balanced Growth and Development, Downtown as a Riverfront Destination, Neighborhood Vitality and Housing, Economic Prosperity, and Infrastructure and Community Systems. She described goals and strategies, including preserving open space, directing growth to existing centers, enhancing downtown connectivity, diversifying housing options, and strengthening infrastructure.
• Caitlin Johnson (SB Friedman) discussed housing challenges (aging population, rising costs, limited options) and economic development goals, including supporting commercial corridors and diversifying the industrial base.
• Jelestin Opitz (Kimley Horn) discussed infrastructure goals: transportation system evolution, complete streets policies, water resiliency (Lake Michigan water transition), and potential commuter rail service expansion.
• Hannah Bader then presented the future land use strategy and opportunity sites (Orchard Road, US 34, and Route 31 concepts). She emphasized these are conceptual guidance, not development plans, and are tools for testing future proposals. A trustee clarified that the concepts are "pie in the sky" visions, not imminent projects.

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes were taken on the comprehensive plan update.
• The committee of the whole meeting was adjourned and will continue during the regular board meeting's staff reports section.
• Village President noted that the 2015 comprehensive plan called for commercial uses along the Route 31 site but did not specifically mention "hotel."
• A petition from residents opposing the Route 31 concepts was received and acknowledged.