Mundelein village trustees approved a plan to annex a piece of land as part of an agreement that will see a 300,000 square-foot industrial flex building constructed at the site near Route 60 and Route 83 in the southern part of town.
The annexed space is a sliver of area that partially runs along Route 60 and Route 83, and ends near Route 45 to the east. To the north, the boundary stops at the Elgin Joliet and Eastern Railroad right of way. To the south is a couple of shopping centers, including the Salvation Army Family Store and Garden Fresh Market. Combined with a plot of land next to it, the site includes about 25 acres.
Bridge Industrial Acquisition, a Chicago-based real estate company, is purchasing the land and developing the property. At the Aug. 23 Village Board meeting, officials with the company said a traffic study being conducted as part of the project. However, the study isn’t expected to be completed for several more months. Officials also confirmed there is no tenant planned yet for the building.
Before being annexed, the property was in unincorporated Lake County and owned by Mundelein 60 LLC. Along with the annexation, the combined area is being rezoned to general manufacturing. There was also a lighting variation approved.
During a presentation on the project, Mundelein Community Development Director Amanda Orenchuk said the village has been planning to annex this area for “many decades.” Orenchuk also commented on the importance of finding more industrial space, as the village has a vacancy rate of less than 5%.
“Businesses seeking an industrial location are continuously turned away due to lack of available properties to lease,” Mayor Steve Lentz told Pioneer Press.
A couple of residents who live in the area of the development voiced concern about potential traffic issues, drainage and lighting. Dick Cushing said his 5-acre property is near the area. He said he thinks it’s a bad spot for the project because of the traffic on Route 60, which he called “unbelievable.”
“It’s really, really sad to see some of these things that are developed,” he said. “There’s a lot of different things that I think can go on that property.”
Rich Cushing said he thought it was a sign of Mundelein becoming a “truck stop.”
“I just feel like we’re being turned into a big truck stop,” he said. “I don’t think this is our vision. I hope it’s not our vision.”
After the residents’ comments, Lentz asked for clarification on a couple of items, including replacing a retaining wall on the backside of Dick Cushing’s property. Bridge company officials said they would reach out to the property owner.
Speaking to Pioneer Press, Lentz said he thinks Bridge has been willing to work with those in the area to address issues.
” (The retaining wall) will be a big improvement for that property,” he said.