Above is an aerial view of the Sunflower Farms property.
Despite an extensive and lengthy presentation by Kenosha attorney Michael McTernan and Glen Christianson Senior Planner of Manhard Consulting in Vernan Hills, IL, the Bristol Town Board did not approve a Land Use Plan Amendment for an equestrian facility and estate single-family homes on 170 acres.
Although approved by the town Plan Commission, Chairman Richard Gossling cast the deciding Town Board vote to deny Sunflower Farms the building of 25 luxury homes on approximately 2-acre sites on the North side of 128th Street and West of Highway 45. To preserve the rural character of the town, the remaining 76-½ acres would have remained dedicated to preserve woodlands, wetlands, and natural equestrian trails.
Three builders presented artistic renderings of French Country Manor style homes in the 3000 square foot and up range, each beginning with a million dollar price tag that McTernan stated would blend with the natural beauty of the area.
“The last two years were spent working on a plan to make certain that homes built would match the quality of the existing state of the art Sunflower Farms site,” he said. “The town is proud of Sunflower farms and this development would have exceeded expectations.”
The tax benefit to the town would have been significant stated McTernan who explained that interested buyers seemed to be unaffected by the current economic downturn and had the means to live in the village. He asked the board to think about the vision of the development and what might be in years to come.
“Will this still be open space or will there be something much worse than a luxury equestrian development?”
