Pike Lake Road is not a place for a 'glampground,' planning commission says

Glamorous camping is not the right fit for Pike Lake Road, according to a decision made by the Cook County Planning Commission following concerns shared by a collection of residents near the remote but well-traveled roadway.

The planning commission heard a plan during their August meeting from local property owners Bailey and Joe Hutchence regarding their hopes to open a ‘glampground’ on 42.1 acres of private land near Pike Lake Road. Glamping is a form of camping that brings modern conveniences such as Wi-Fi, television, heat, running water, couches and other similar luxuries (at least when compared to traditional camping) into the experience.  

The Hutchences purchased their property in 2018 and made a request of the land services department at the county to open the glampground in the near future. The business and recreational area would feature eight units and the ability to accommodate up to 18 guests. The name of the business was set to be “Cedar Bound.”

Leading up to the Aug. 14 meeting of the planning commission, a collection of neighbors to the Hutchence property on Pike Lake Road expressed concerns regarding having a glampground arrive to their rural setting.

After reviewing public testimony, the planning commission voted 5-1 to not approve the glampground on Pike Lake Road.

To learn more about the Hutchence request to open a glampground on Pike Lake Road and to read some of the concerns raised by residents of Pike Lake Road, click here.

The tab below is an audio interview where WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Commissioner Heidi Doo-Kirk about the planning commission meeting, glampgrounds in Cook County and what comes next in this process. Doo-Kirk is the board liaison on the planning commission.