Update 10/2/18 – Last week the village board approved Big Door’s request to build its condo self-storage project in Mundelein. The special-use permit was issued on Sept. 24 without debate, as the board had previously discussed the proposal earlier in the month and in May, a source reported.

The facility is expected to open in summer 2019.

9/13/18 – Mundelein trustees unanimously agreed on Monday to have village staff write a special-use permit for the condo self-storage facility proposed by Big Door. The permit will include noise limitations between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. and require the developer to erect a fence along the southern boundary of the property to serve as a buffer from neighboring residences, according to the source.

Plans now call for 35 total units ranging from 560 to 1,500 square feet, with prices starting at $131,600. Construction is expected to take 10 months, with completion planned for next summer, the source reported.

Mayor Steve Lentz believes the condo concept is a good one for Mundelein due to a series of “Park on Park” car shows the city hosts during the summer. "Classic cars and Mundelein go hand in hand, and owners need a nice place to store them along with other vehicles," Lentz said. "We are happy to welcome this to Mundelein."

5/21/18 – Denver-based Big Door Holdings is looking to build condominium self-storage on a 2-acre vacant lot on Wilhelm Road in Mundelein, Ill. Principal Dave Miller presented the company’s plans for Industrial Flex Condominiums to the village board on May 14. The units will be designed for the storage of classic cars, boats and RVs, but can also be converted to art studios, or hobby, leisure or office space, according to the source.

The property would include three buildings comprising 38,000 square feet of space in 30 to 40 units, Miller said. Sold individually, the units would range from 500 square feet to 2,500 square feet, featuring climate control, electricity, Internet connectivity, water and other amenities. The condos would cost $80,000 to more than $200,000, said John Victor, a Big Door representative. Each would generate an annual property tax for the village.

The land is zoned for general manufacturing and would require a zoning variation, according to Amanda Orenchuk, community-development director. While the trustees didn’t take action on the proposal, they voiced concerns about the condos’ usage. Trustee Dawn Abernathy said she liked the concept, but worried people would use the space for parties. Another trustee, Bill Rekus, brought up the possibility of people living in the units or using them as an auto-repair shop. Despite their concerns, the board informally supported the project, the source reported.

Founded in 2017, Big Door is opening a similar facility in Chicago this spring.

Sources:
Daily Herald, Unusual Storage Facility Likely Coming to Mundelein
Daily Herald, Storage Facility Proposed for Mundelein's South Side
Daily Herald, Self-Storage Facility Plan Approved in Mundelein