MOUNT ZION - The Mount Zion Village Board approved on Monday a plan for an addition to a subdivision that potentially could conflict with a proposed beltway around Decatur.

The board voted 5-1 to allow for the Silver Leaf Estates being built by developer Steve Lewis on the southwest side of the village to be increased to 25 lots from the 18 previously approved. Several lots have been sold and construction on some homes could begin soon, Lewis said.

The move could create a conflict with the proposed beltway path, which was approved in June by the Federal Highway Administration and supported by Macon County officials. Plans for the beltway were approved in part to allow the Rockies Express Pipeline carrying natural gas.;to be built knowing where the road would go.

Officials with the pipeline would like to begin construction on the project, which runs through four Central Illinois counties and would run just to the south of Mount Zion. Macon County, however, has not approved a plan for the pipeline to run under county roads, leading to a delay in starting work in the county.

"We're making a decision to what we think is in the best interest of the village," Mayor Don Robinson said. "We don't foresee the county doing anything with the beltway until 10-20 years down the road."

Board members want to see the path of the beltway pushed farther south, away from the village. Pushing the road to the south would allow for further expansion of the village, Robinson said.

Some residents who live to the south of the approved path don't want changes to the plan that would force the road to be built elsewhere.

Dave Sheets, who lives along Sulphur Spring Road, doesn't want the road running through his property. The proposed beltway has been discussed as a way for truck traffic to bypass Decatur.

"I don't want a four-lane highway through my front yard," Sheets said. "But I'm only one guy."

Trustee Kevin Fritzsche said it is in the best interest to village to approve the subdivision even as concerns over the beltway abound.

"Nobody likes interfering with anybody's enjoyment of their property," Fritzsche said. "But it's not in our best interest to be hand-tied by the county and what they ultimately decide to do."

Board member Jan Mudd voted against the proposal.

Chris Lusvardi can be reached at clusvardi@herald-review.com or 421-7972.