Mundelein townhouse plan in limbo after tie vote

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 it could be brought back for another vote down the road, officials said.

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

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 concerned resident Mary Connolly said traffic is her biggest issue with the plan. She suggested traffic lights be installed at Midlothian and Courtland to make traveling through there safer.

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 agreement while Kara Lambert and Tony Ugaste voted against it. The measure needed four votes to pass, so Mayor Robin Meier wasn’t even asked to give a “yea” or “nay.”

Afterward, Village Administrator Eric Guenther said the proposed agreement could come back to the board for reconsideration, most likely after the vacant seat is filled and when all the trustees are present.

rlissau@dailyherald.com