Burr Ridge Annexation Divides Neighborhood

BURR RIDGE, IL – The owners of three properties outside of Burr Ridge's limits asked to be annexed last week, but they drew the opposition of their neighbors.

At a meeting last week, the Village Board ultimately favored annexation.

At issue is Normandee Court. The southernmost Normandee plots were already in Burr Ridge. The three properties in question are just north of them.

Earlier this month, the owners of four other Normandee properties signed a petition arguing against the request. They said if the village approved it, the rest of the properties would eventually fall victim to "forced annexation."

They said being outside municipal control was a big reason they moved there.

"The properties requesting annexation into Burr Ridge undermines the original understanding and sets a dangerous precedent for all landowners in the area," they said.

They said they did not want to become subject to Burr Ridge's taxes, services and regulations.

One of the opponents, Shaila Karim, said Normandee would be split under the county's and village's control – an arrangement she described as "silly."

"At some point, forced annexation is inevitable because half a street doesn't make sense," he said.

Mayor Gary Grasso said Karim and others were essentially asking for a "veto" over their neighbors' request, which he said he didn't think was fair.

"I think you're asking to have too much power over your neighbor's property," he said.

Karim replied that they were opposed because it would impact them.

Grasso said the village generally avoids forced annexations.

"There is no ulterior motive or nothing here you should lose sleep at night that we're going to force annex you," the mayor told Karim.

Trustee Russell Smith said it was his "dream" to see all of Normandee Court become part of Burr Ridge.

"We have three owners who want to join the village. I'm not going to stop that," he said.

The board's vote for annexation was unanimous.