The Sycamore City Council hosted a public hearing regarding the annexation of the Mapes Farmstead Monday night.

Owners of the Mapes Farmstead, Jack and Darla Mapes, are in the process of relocating their home. Their intent is to combine their land with the 3.28-acre parcel of land owned by B&B Development to create an area convenient for townhouse development. The townhouses are to be developed on the east side of Plank Road.

Karen Lyon, a Sycamore resident, opposes the property’s annexation because of decreasing values on townhouses in the area.

“I support impact fees, but Sycamore hasn’t taken care of old downtown,” she said.

Jack Mapes thinks this is the right move for the Sycamore community.

“I’m here for the long haul,” Mapes said. “What B&B Development is doing out there is classy, and I support it.”

In accordance with the council’s decision to approve the annexation, a formal annexation agreement was taken into consideration that is planned to go into its second reading at the next council meeting Feb. 4.

Included in the annexation agreement are land use and zoning specifications, fees and access and water detention issues.

No development plan exists at the time but is being considered.