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Mount Prospect moves to block truck parking near United offices

Mount Prospect is moving to annex six acres at the southeast corner of Linneman Road and Dempster Street to block a plan for a truck parking lot there, but the property's owner, United Airlines, says the village's quick action on the site violates an earlier deal between them.

Appearing before the Mount Prospect village board last week, United attorney Andrew Scott said the village's plan disregards a 2012 annexation agreement for the 13.6-acre site at 1200 E. Algonquin Road, which is now is home to the airline's data center.

That deal, Scott said, calls for the company to receive 45 days notice of any other attempt to annex its property into the village.

Mayor Arlene Juracek defended expedited move on the six-acre site, saying the village is acting out of a sense of urgency to prevent Cook County, which currently has jurisdiction, from approving a request to allow truck parking on the property. That request, made by the company leasing the property from United, asks for 180 spaces for trucks, tractors, trailers and other vehicles.

In November, the village board passed a resolution opposing the request, citing concerns about traffic and air and noise pollution from idling trucks.

“We just don't feel it's the best use of this location,” Community Development Director William Cooney said at the time.

The property had been a parking lot for United employees, but Cooney said it has not been utilized as such for as much as five years.

The annexation plan was up for first reading Wednesday and will be up for second reading and possible approval April 19. Because the property is completely surrounded by Mount Prospect, the village can forcibly annex into its borders.

However, United is asking the village to hold additional meetings with them about the proposed annexation before taking final action.

“This is in no way hostile,” Juracek said. “We're just trying to go through and protect our interests. Our intent here is not to take rash action that violates any terms.”

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