Plans for youth camp move forward in Pike Lake area

A request came before the Cook County Planning Commission on June 14 for a conditional use permit regarding a cabin on Pike Lake. The request came from an organization known as Positive Energy Outdoors, a non-profit that purchased 160 acres of land just north of Pike Lake in 2016.

The conditional use permit, as requested by Positive Energy Outdoors, was to establish an outdoor-recreational business on the north shoreline of Pike Lake.

During the planning commission meeting on June 14 it was determined that the scope of the plan to use 2.39 acres of the north shoreline of Pike Lake, which was the size of the property Positive Energy Outdoors was planning to purchase, was not a good fit for the business model. It was also mentioned on numerous occasions during the planning commission meeting that Positive Energy Outdoors has a history of conflicts with their neighbors in Fredenberg Township, where the business is currently located.

The planning commission, in accordance with a number of voices and letters of support from local homeowners in the Pike Lake area, voted unanimously to not support the request from Positive Energy Outdoors. Commission Chair Stan Tull recused himself from the vote, citing a potential conflict of interest.

During a meeting of the Cook County Commissioners on July 11 the conditional use permit request came before the county board, who ultimately have the final say in approving the request. After a brief discussion between the commissioners, and following the recommendation of the planning commission, the county board voted to not approve the conditional use permit for Positive Energy Outdoors.

However, on July 13 WTIP’s Joe Friedrichs spoke with Stephanie Love – a co-founder and director of Positive Energy Outdoors – and learned that the co-owners of the business moved forward with purchasing the property on Pike Lake and will use it for a variety of purposes, including vacation rental and personal use.

To hear the complete interview, listen below.