Update from the Residents

To the neighbors and friends who have stood with us:

We want to give you a brief update on where things stand after this week's hearing.

On the evening of May 5, the Plan Commission voted to recommend approval of the Lakeshore K9 application, with conditions. This was a recommendation only. The Trustees of the Village will now take up the matter at a future meeting. Until the Trustees vote, no approval has been granted, no permits can issue, and no construction can begin. We will post the Trustee meeting date here as soon as it is officially announced.

In preparation for the May 5 hearing, the residents — working with our retained counsel — engaged two independent professional firms: an acoustic engineering firm to review the applicant's sound study, and a real-estate valuation firm to assess the property-value impact on the affected homes. Both firms completed written reviews and delivered their findings before the hearing. Those findings were filed into the record as part of a verified evidence submission.

What did not happen at the hearing was the opportunity for those experts to testify, or for our counsel to present their findings to the commissioners. That is a part of the May 5 proceeding the residents take seriously, and our legal team is reviewing it carefully.

Where we are now

The application has not been approved. The Trustee vote is the next and final administrative step. The residents and our retained counsel are continuing to prepare for that vote and for any further steps that may follow. We are prepared to pursue judicial review of the final decision if, in counsel's judgment, the record warrants it.

Why we are not saying more publicly

This is an active legal matter. Our counsel directs all communications, and we follow that direction. We are not posting on social media about this case. We are not contacting Village officials outside the formal hearing process. We are not speculating about anyone's motives. These choices are deliberate, and they are how cases like this are won.

Stewardship of the fund

The Community Legal Defense Fund continues to be jointly administered through a dedicated Chase Bank account, with George Molakal and Bobby Kehagias as co-signatories. Contributions to date have been applied to legal counsel, the two retained experts, and the preparation of our submissions. A full written accounting will be provided to every contributor at the close of this matter, consistent with our original commitment.

How to help

The most meaningful thing any neighbor can do right now is plan to be present at the Trustee meeting once the date is officially set. We will post it here as soon as it is announced. Presence matters.

Thank you — for your contributions, your patience, and your trust. The work continues, and we will continue to keep you informed.

— George Molakal, Bobby Kehagias, and the residents of Pamela Court and White Oak Estates