[2] It has limited development to custom houses on large lots, and has worked to preserve natural features and open space.

Increased population and pent-up demand for housing resulted in new suburban development outside many major cities, aided by federal investment in highways that eased commuting to work.

On October 16, 1958, Brickman Builders of Chicago announced their intent to build a planned community "of the future" consisting of 20,000 residential units in Ela Township, Lake County.

If there were 100 residents and 35 voters living within the prescribed boundaries, they could hold a referendum to establish a village form of government.

The existing residents feared that Brickman could effectively select individuals to have voted into office, and form his own government, passing codes and ordinances to serve his own interests.

Brickman was seeking rezoning from Lake County of the latter properties in order to permit small lots, which would enable more dense development.

Brickman attempted to move a small red barn west on East Cuba Road to use as housing for his workers.

Although the barn was mounted on a truck, it could not be transported across the one-lane bridge over Buffalo Creek because of large overhanging oak tree branches.

On September 8, 1996, the village of Kildeer mounted a plaque on the bridge dedicating it as a memorial to Dorothea Huszagh, who died in 1995, and to others who had opposed the 1950s planned development of this area.

Some analysts thought Brickman had intended to gain rezoning by first annexing his land to Lake Zurich and later disconnecting to form a separate village.

Brickman left the area after selling a parcel of 475 acres (1.92 km2) to the Arthur T. Mcintosh Co., who developed the property as a subdivision called "Farmington".

I am in hopes that the gentlemen who submitted their resignations will reconsider and will realize that our differences can never be resolved by any means other than hard work, gathering of facts, and reasoning."

He went to great lengths accumulating the facts and summarizing his own views on the negative aspects of such a merger in a letter to the Board of Trustees containing the following closing statement.

"In light of the facts mentioned above, I feel that though we have won the battle of Brickman, we have lost the war for self preservation and home rule.

It must be assumed the majority of the village board supported their President's position and convinced him to withdraw his resignation, but the issue would be sensitive to some for many years to come.

A longtime resident and Kildeer trustee, Frank Angelotti, had his own civil engineering company doing consulting work for other villages.

He was aware of federal funds available through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) to assist municipalities in the construction of local sewers.

Early in 1975, Trustee Angelotti, at his own expense, prepared schematic drawings of a sewer system for the entire village of Kildeer.

Having the only sewer system in the area would give Kildeer complete control of any and all development along Rand Road and its surrounding borders.

Seeing the merits of this project and the fact federal funding would be a one-time opportunity, the village board moved to submit an application to the IEPA.

A review of proposals resulted in the village board selecting the Crystal Lake firm of Baxter-Woodman to provide engineering services.

About this time a small group of protesters began to oppose the project on the premise that sewers in Kildeer would promote and accelerate development in and around the village.

A false rumor was circulated stating "strings" were attached to the federal funds that would require "low cost" housing in Kildeer.

Supporters for sewers threatened the village with legal action if they did not proceed with construction based on the will of the people determined by referendum.

The village engineer prepared a new estimate based on current escalated costs that indicated a considerable increase above the amount approved in the IEPA application.

The only solution for bringing costs back within the budget was to revise plans eliminating long runs of sewers to areas with minimum users.

On October 22, 1979, the IEPA notified Kildeer that the reduction in scope of their sewer project resulted in a lower funding priority rating and a determination could not be made when financing would be available.

Growth in the area began to accelerate, and developers annexed their properties to neighboring communities, enlarging their borders and virtually landlocking Kildeer.

The village approved a subdivision called Beacon Hill, consisting of houses on smaller lots but with considerable open space in and around the development.

The village faces new pressures, as some residents want to preserve the rural atmosphere while others prefer increased services and programs that require the need for new sources of revenue.