New engineering firm proposes fee changes, ShoDeen raises concern
by Lynn Meredith and Ryan Wells
ELBURN—A representative from a developer of a proposed plan that would double Elburn’s population raised concerns Monday after village officials heard a presentation that recommended the village raise water and sewer connection fees on all future development.

The developer, ShoDeen Inc., has had plans for a development known as Elburn Station in various stages of negotiation with the village for years. ShoDeen’s proposed plan, if approved in its current form, would double the population of Elburn with a build-out of approximately 20 years. It would consist of a combination of multi-unit dwellings and single-family homes surrounding the Elburn Metra station east of Route 47.

If the Village Board approves the new fee schedule prior to final passage of Elburn Station, the developer would be impacted by the fee change. ShoDeen representative Bob Skidmore spoke out during Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

“From the water and sewer standpoint, we’ve been told that the (agreed upon) numbers are incorrect. We worked for two years with staff, the board and Rempe-Sharpe. The board approved the concept, and now at the last minute, we have new engineers, and (what they say) contradicts Rempe-Sharpe’s analysis,” Skidmore said. “We’ve taken a two-year step back in time, and ShoDeen has wasted $188,000, not including our time.”

Monday’s presentation came from new village engineering firm Engineering Enterprises, Inc. (EEI), based in Sugar Grove. The firm replaced former village engineers Rempe-Sharpe, based in Geneva.

Water and sewer connection fees are assessed at the point of issuance of a building permit. According to Elburn Village Administrator Erin Willrett, the current water connection fee is $930 for a single-family home, and $868 for wastewater, for a combined fee of $1,798.

“The water and sewer connection fees buy capacity into our system,” Willrett said.

The revised fee schedule remains to be finalized. Willrett said village staff are continuing to refine the new numbers prior to the Village Board meeting on Monday, July 16.