Revised townhouse proposal near Metra station in Vernon Hills calls for less density

A revised plan for a townhouse community called Mills Crossing on Route 45 near the Metra commuter station in Vernon Hills received a better reception from village trustees than in April, but the next step remains to be seen.

Whether M/I Homes Chicago Division proceeds to a more detailed review in advance of a public hearing appears likely but is to be determined.

Village trustees, meeting as an informal committee of the whole this spring, raised several concerns about the development. Among them were density, visual impact and unwanted added traffic on Route 45, and proposed access to the development via the center aisle of the adjoining Metra parking lot.

Company representatives returned for another courtesy concept review this past week with a revised plan that appeared to check many of the boxes.

“I think you heard our feedback and this was a very well and thorough presentation addressing those points, so thank you for that,” Trustee Nancy Forster said after the presentation.

M/I wants to rezone the land from business to residential use to allow for Mills Crossing, citing Metra’s North Central Service as an attractive feature for buyers.

Density was reduced from 79 townhouses in 16 buildings to 65 townhouses in 13 buildings. A traffic analysis showed the development would not have a negative impact compared to what would be allowed under the current business zoning.

Depending on the model, all units would have three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths and range from 1,900 to 2,436 square feet. Starting prices would be in the $600,000 range, trustees were told.

M/I also shifted access to Mills Crossing away from the center aisle and closer to Route 45. It also introduced a wider and shorter model of home than originally proposed.

The homebuilder is the contract purchaser of the 7.5-acre former James Martin Associates property on multiple parcels at 29-59 Route 45. Martin established a landscape contracting business on the site in 1985 and added two adjacent properties in subsequent years.

Operations were relocated to Mundelein in 2020, and Martin has been trying to determine how best to proceed with the property, which includes a barn, home and other structures.

A real estate analysis in 2024 led him to put the property up for sale, he told trustees.

“That led us to going to market, and we received multiple offers,” he said. “Most were residential in nature.”

M/I is seeking to have the property rezoned from business to residential to allow for Mills Crossing.

Martin said M/I Homes stood out from other proposals.

“We felt, hey, if this is going to be the bookend of our 40 years on the property, that would be fit and fitting to the community,” he said.

Mayor Thom Koch also wanted assurance that M/I would set aside adequate property for the long-proposed widening of Route 45, even though the project appears unlikely to advance.

mzawislak@dailyherald.com