New Lenox trustees this week delayed a vote on the proposed annexation of the Schmuhl School land until the Plan Commission can examine the developer’s proposal.
The Schmuhl School property on the southeast corner of U.S. Highway 30 and School House Road was sold by New Lenox Elementary School District 122 to Glenbrook Development for $1.5 million.
More Top Picks Best Amazon Prime Day Immersion Blender Deals 2026
The plan calls for a Walgreens store and another, smaller business on the site, developer Mike Glenn Jr. told the Village Board.
The Plan Commission has to examine the developer’s requests for a special use and a variance, and neighboring homeowners’ concerns have to be addressed before the Village Board puts the matter to a vote, Mayor Mike Smith said.
Planning and Development Administrator Robin Traubenik said the annexation plan is being “fast-tracked,” with the special use request to be considered by the Plan Commission Dec. 6 and the variance request to be considered Dec. 13, so the Village Board can vote Dec. 14.
The special use request is for a precription pickup drive-through window, and the variance request involves setback from the road.
Homeowners in the neighboring Wellington subdivision are worried about drainage, according to Bruce Burke of the Wellington Homeowners Association.
Village officials want some improvement of the intersection to accommodate business traffic.
Glenn said his plan will provide many benefits besides adding $1.5 million to the school district treasury.
The developer will help the New Lenox Historical Society move the existing school, the last one-room schoolhouse in New Lenox Township, to forest preserve land across the street.