Conservancy

The Long Grove Conservancy Legacy

Long Grove residents and visitors enjoy abundant open-spaces, wildlife, and diverse natural ecosystems due to the Village legacy of residents and the Board of Trustees working together to place land conservation as a top priority. The Village of Long Grove is excited to be adding the Sustainability/Conservancy tab to the Village website with hopes to inspire, educate and support the management and preservation of these unique Long Grove ecosystems.

Conservancy Areas Within Residential Subdivisions

Most residential subdivisions within the Village of Long Grove contain some areas designated as “conservancy” which were identified as easements on the plat of subdivision for a particular development.   Periodically the Village receives notification of encroachments into these conservancy areas. As subdivisions age and new residents move into the Village, people may not be aware of the conservancy easements or the restrictions associated with them on their property. The following is offered as an attempt to educate (or perhaps re-educate) residents and minimize encroachments into these protected areas.

• Conservancy areas are identified by an easement which is established on the property at the time of subdivision and restricts the use of property so designated. Once established conservancies are intended to be permanent; alteration of the boundaries of these easements is generally difficult if not impossible and strongly discouraged.  
• In general conservancy areas are established to protect lands which may have limitations for building construction (wetlands & flood hazard areas), are groundwater recharge areas and also function as a mechanism to protect open space and contribute greatly to the character of the community. Specific types of soils are the principal factor in the determination of conservancy areas.
• There are two general types of Conservancy Districts identified in the Village Zoning regulations. These are the Upland and Lowland Conservancy Districts. The zoning ordinance identifies specific uses that may occur in these districts. Of the two the Lowland Conservancy District is much more restrictive than the Upland Conservancy District. In general, however, conservancy districts are intended to remain in their natural and undisturbed state. Additional restrictions may be found on the plat of subdivision for a particular development. This plat should also be checked for restrictions of use with regard to conservancy areas. Most encroachments into conservancy areas, when permitted, require an application to and the review and approval of the Conservancy and Scenic Corridor Committee (CSCC) as well as the Village Board.

Homeowners have certain responsibilities per the Village Code with regard to the identification of conservancy areas. These include:

• Posting of signs by on four inches by four-inch (4" x 4") treated posts three feet (3') in the ground and extending three feet (3') above the ground at locations with signs as provided by the village ( locations as designated by the Building Commissioner).
• These signs shall be maintained at all times by the owner of the lot.
• The signs shall indicate in substance to all persons that the easement areas are not to be disturbed.
• As subdivisions become older these markers may become knocked down or otherwise displaced. Replacement signs are available at a cost of $7.00 each from Village Hall. Encroachments into conservancy areas constitute a violation of the Village Code and may result in fines or other remedial action on the part of the Village. 
• Scenic Corridor easements may also be found on certain properties within the Village. These are different from and are generally less restrictive than Conservancy Easements but still require an application to and approval by the CSCC & Village Board prior to any alteration of these areas.

For additional information, as well as applications and procedures for requests to the CSCC, click the contact information at the bottom of this page: