Aldermen voted last week to defer action until Jan. 21 on a 22-unit condominium project in the 100 block of North East River Road.
About 50 residents who oppose the project on 2.36 acres occupied by one home left the 5 1/2-hour City Council meeting believing aldermen had approved a preliminary planned unit development and zoning change favoring the project.
After midnight, aldermen voted to reconsider the plan proposed by Palatine-based Insignia Homes.
About a half-dozen residents said the project would destroy the rural character of their neighborhood and lower property values in an area where officials said 1-acre lots sell for about $400,000.
“This zoning change [from single-family residential to multifamily residential] will start a builder’s buying frenzy at low prices,” said Raymond Sulikowski, a resident of the 300 block of North East River Road.