Will redevelopment finally happen at Mundelein's Oak Creek Plaza?

A developer's updated plan to build townhouses where a mostly vacant Mundelein shopping center stands will be unveiled next week.

The village's planning and zoning commission will review the proposal for what's now the Oak Creek Plaza shopping center on Wednesday night. The roughly 33-acre site is near the southeast corner of Route 45 and Townline Road.

The company behind the plan, D.R. Horton, wants to build 45 buildings containing 222 townhouses, according to village documents. A public park and a central gathering place for residents also are planned.

D.R. Horton, which has offices in Vernon Hills and around the nation, originally proposed a mix of single-family houses and townhouses there.

The property has been a source of frustration for village leaders and residents for years.

It once was home to a Menards home improvement store, a Hobby Lobby crafts store and other thriving retailers. But the only businesses now are in some free-standing buildings.

Those businesses -- including Pita Inn, Culver's, Associated Bank and XFactor Trampoline -- would remain.

The property needs to be rezoned from commercial to residential for the plan to move forward. Such a decision would come from the village board, based on a recommendation from the plan commission.

Exceptions to Mundelein's building rules are being requested, too.

If approved, the development will be called the Townes at Oak Creek.

Wednesday's meeting is set for 7 p.m. at village hall, 300 Plaza Circle.