Mundelein townhouse plan in limbo after tie vote, but developer says it’ll be back

The future of a plan to build a 68-unit townhouse development in western Mundelein is uncertain following a rare tie vote by the village board.

Trustees were split 2-2 on a development agreement that would have paved the way for construction of the 15-building Midlothian Crossing complex at the southwest corner of Midlothian and Courtland Street. As a result, the agreement wasn’t ratified.

But the would-be developer and village officials expect the plan will come back for another vote that probably would have a different outcome.

The pact would be with the Huron Group, a Deerfield real estate firm. It has proposed a mix of two- and three-story buildings on the nearly 8-acre site, which is undeveloped.

The taller buildings drew opposition from longtime Mundelein resident Brenda Zehner before Monday’s vote.

“There is nothing the entire length of Midlothian Road that is three stories (tall),” Zehner said during the public comment section of the meeting. “And those units are going to be put right up against Midlothian Road.”

Zehner also expressed displeasure about the plan to access the development only via Courtland Street.

Another resident, Mary Connolly, said she was especially concerned about the potential impact on traffic. A lot of drivers use Midlothian Road during the morning and afternoon rush hours, she said, and it can be dangerous.

“I cross there every morning … and sometimes just have to hold my breath and get in when I can go,” said Connelly, who went on to suggest traffic lights be installed at Midlothian and Courtland.

Mundelein’s village board usually has six members, and the mayor usually is asked to vote to break ties. But one seat is temporarily vacant because of Jennifer Grieco’s recent resignation, and Trustee Erich Schwenk was absent Monday — leaving only four board members present.

Trustees Daniel Juarez and Arnold Krinski voted for the development agreement while Kara Lambert and Tony Ugaste voted against it. The measure legally needed four votes to pass, so Mayor Robin Meier wasn’t asked to give a “yea” or “nay.”

Afterward, Village Administrator Eric Guenther said the proposed agreement could come back to the board for reconsideration. That most likely would occur after the vacant seat is filled, which is expected to happen Sept. 28, and when all the trustees are present, he said.

Officials want to gauge Schwenk’s opinion before calling a second vote, too, Guenther said.

Reached by phone Wednesday, Huron Group CEO Derick Goodman said it was “unfortunate” that the proposal came up for a vote when all six trustees weren’t present. Additionally, Goodman said the company didn’t have enough time to address the concerns raised by the public before the vote.

Goodman also noted the last development agreement approved for the site would have allowed a three-story, 94-unit assisted-living facility that would have been “much more disruptive” to the neighborhood.

As for road safety, Goodman said a study conducted this spring indicated the development wouldn’t significantly affect traffic on Midlothian Road.

Goodman said he expects the proposal will appear on a future board agenda.

rlissau@dailyherald.com