FAQs

Development decisions impact and are impacted by the actions of neighboring jurisdictions and private landowners. A development that is proposed today will influence the possibilities of what will be proposed in the future. By planning together, the Villages of Algonquin and Cary can take advantage of the unique redevelopment opportunity that exists along their shared border and develop complementary and coordinated strategies to redefine and connect the mining areas to the surrounding community.

The subarea plan presents a unified vision for the future and charts a coordinated path for the Villages, open space managers, and other stakeholders. 

The plan: 

• Creates an avenue for public input on future development; 
• Provides a roadmap to share with the private development community as the area begins to develop over the next decade; 
• Outlines strategies to maximize recreational assets, environmental benefits, and economic development; 
• Examines the market potential to guide fiscally responsible development; 
• Identifies transportation improvements; and 
• Coordinates recent planning efforts pertaining to the area.

The Algonquin-Cary planning area is located in southeast McHenry County along Route 31. The area is situated approximately nine miles north of Interstate 90, two miles from US Route 14 and the Cary Metra Station, and along the western shoreline of the Fox River. The planning area comprises two mining areas, Cary Lake at Rotary Park, Hoffman Park, Fox Bluff Conservation Area, and downtown Algonquin. Click here to see a map of the planning area.

The plan was developed over the last two years with input from over 870 people – including residents, business owners, open space managers, and community leaders. A project steering committee provided guidance throughout the project. Public engagement activities included two public meetings, in-person interviews, tabling at community events, and an online survey. Click here to see the Community Engagement Summary document for more detail.

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is the regional planning organization for northeastern Illinois. CMAP provides planning support to communities throughout the seven-county region through the Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program. In 2017, the Villages of Algonquin and Cary submitted a proposal to the LTA program and were awarded CMAP assistance to develop the subarea plan.

The plan highlights some upcoming projects that will be constructed over the next few years, such as the roundabout at Cary-Algonquin Road and Main Street and new trails in Hoffman Park. It also includes implementable actions to make the plan's vision a reality, outlining needed coordination between stakeholders and identifying potential funding sources. New development in the planning area will depend on actions taken by the Villages, state and county agencies, and landowners, as well as public input and future market conditions. 

Your comments in the discussion forums will be read by the project team and used to inform revisions to the draft plan. Your email and screenname will not be recorded.