News Release Date
06-27-2026
Dear Sleepy Hollow Residents,
I’m writing to share with you an update regarding a meeting held on Monday, June 22nd, concerning the property at 1601 West Main Street and the proposal brought forward by the James's.
While this meeting took place earlier this week, the official public notice for the upcoming hearing was not posted until yesterday. I intentionally chose to wait until the notice was officially published before sending this explanation. We have already experienced multiple tentative hearing dates that ultimately did not materialize, and I wanted to ensure we had definitive scheduling confirmation before reaching out to you, rather than causing unnecessary confusion or back-and-forth for our residents.
The Meeting
The meeting was attended by Village Administrator Eugene Vann, Village Attorney Mark Schuster, Trustee Kelly Thomas, Carpentersville Development Director Tim Brinkman, and myself. The primary purpose of this meeting was to discuss the staff report provided by the Carpentersville staff.
During our conversation, the applicants expressed concern that the staff report’s recommendation for denial constituted a final decision on their proposal. We clarified for them that this report is just one component of a larger, structured decision-making process that ultimately rests with the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission and the Village Board of Trustees.
Timeline of the Proposal
Initially, the applicants intended to pursue a concurrent, two-pronged approach due to certain time limitations on their end. Under that original plan, they would have requested a public hearing to petition the Village to allow self-service storage units under a special use request at the same time they presented their specific development proposal. However, those time restrictions have since been lifted on their side, and they are now moving forward one step at a time.
Next Steps
The first step in this process will take place on Monday, July 13th at 6:30 p.m., when a public hearing will be held. At this hearing, the James's will be petitioning to add a text amendment and definition that would include self-service storage units as an approved special use within the Village. If they are successful with that specific text amendment petition, they will then proceed with their actual development proposal at a separate, subsequent public hearing date.
Why is This Application Moving Forward?
I also want to take this opportunity to address a question I have heard from many of you: Why is the Village even entertaining this application when so many residents have clearly expressed that they do not want it?
This comes down to constitutional due process and legal requirements. Neither I, as your Village President, nor any individual Trustee has the unilateral authority to allow or disallow an applicant from submitting a petition. The law requires a fair, open process. Any individual or developer has the right to submit an application and have their opportunity to present their proposal before the P&Z Commission and the Village Board. We cannot simply tell a developer they are barred from applying.
Moreover, regardless of any personal feelings members of the Board or I may have about a project, it is our duty as public officials to hear out proposals. We must engage in conversations with applicants to ensure they are fully familiar with our municipal codes and understand the distinct limitations that could exist for their projects.
Lastly, maintaining a professional relationship with applicants is in the Village's best interest. While these interactions do not have to be overly cordial, they must remain professional. Should a proposal eventually receive a recommendation from the P&Z Commission and subsequent approval from the Board, we must be able to maintain a functional, professional working relationship with them moving forward to protect the interests of our community.
Thank you for your continued engagement and investment in the future of Sleepy Hollow. I encourage you to attend the public hearing on July 13th, and I will continue to keep you informed as this process moves forward through the proper public channels.
Courtney E Boe
Village President
1 Thorobred Ln
Sleepy Hollow, IL 60118
847-426-6700 x1742
I’m writing to share with you an update regarding a meeting held on Monday, June 22nd, concerning the property at 1601 West Main Street and the proposal brought forward by the James's.
While this meeting took place earlier this week, the official public notice for the upcoming hearing was not posted until yesterday. I intentionally chose to wait until the notice was officially published before sending this explanation. We have already experienced multiple tentative hearing dates that ultimately did not materialize, and I wanted to ensure we had definitive scheduling confirmation before reaching out to you, rather than causing unnecessary confusion or back-and-forth for our residents.
The Meeting
The meeting was attended by Village Administrator Eugene Vann, Village Attorney Mark Schuster, Trustee Kelly Thomas, Carpentersville Development Director Tim Brinkman, and myself. The primary purpose of this meeting was to discuss the staff report provided by the Carpentersville staff.
During our conversation, the applicants expressed concern that the staff report’s recommendation for denial constituted a final decision on their proposal. We clarified for them that this report is just one component of a larger, structured decision-making process that ultimately rests with the Planning and Zoning (P&Z) Commission and the Village Board of Trustees.
Timeline of the Proposal
Initially, the applicants intended to pursue a concurrent, two-pronged approach due to certain time limitations on their end. Under that original plan, they would have requested a public hearing to petition the Village to allow self-service storage units under a special use request at the same time they presented their specific development proposal. However, those time restrictions have since been lifted on their side, and they are now moving forward one step at a time.
Next Steps
The first step in this process will take place on Monday, July 13th at 6:30 p.m., when a public hearing will be held. At this hearing, the James's will be petitioning to add a text amendment and definition that would include self-service storage units as an approved special use within the Village. If they are successful with that specific text amendment petition, they will then proceed with their actual development proposal at a separate, subsequent public hearing date.
Why is This Application Moving Forward?
I also want to take this opportunity to address a question I have heard from many of you: Why is the Village even entertaining this application when so many residents have clearly expressed that they do not want it?
This comes down to constitutional due process and legal requirements. Neither I, as your Village President, nor any individual Trustee has the unilateral authority to allow or disallow an applicant from submitting a petition. The law requires a fair, open process. Any individual or developer has the right to submit an application and have their opportunity to present their proposal before the P&Z Commission and the Village Board. We cannot simply tell a developer they are barred from applying.
Moreover, regardless of any personal feelings members of the Board or I may have about a project, it is our duty as public officials to hear out proposals. We must engage in conversations with applicants to ensure they are fully familiar with our municipal codes and understand the distinct limitations that could exist for their projects.
Lastly, maintaining a professional relationship with applicants is in the Village's best interest. While these interactions do not have to be overly cordial, they must remain professional. Should a proposal eventually receive a recommendation from the P&Z Commission and subsequent approval from the Board, we must be able to maintain a functional, professional working relationship with them moving forward to protect the interests of our community.
Thank you for your continued engagement and investment in the future of Sleepy Hollow. I encourage you to attend the public hearing on July 13th, and I will continue to keep you informed as this process moves forward through the proper public channels.
Thank you,
Courtney E Boe
Village President
1 Thorobred Ln
Sleepy Hollow, IL 60118
847-426-6700 x1742