Amid ongoing efforts to beautify and reinvent its image, Mundelein moved to block car washes from its downtown, just months after an automatic car wash business filed a zoning application for an empty lot along Highway 45.

Such businesses, with their low labor costs and monthly subscription fees, have gained popularity in recent years. Mundelein alone has five automatic car washes, as well as six gas stations with a car wash and three hand-wash options.

The Village Board approved text amendments removing car washes as an allowed use within the downtown zoning district, as well as creating additional use standards in other zoning districts. These standards include requirements for enhanced design, recycled water systems, and fencing or landscaping to keep vacuum areas out of public view.

Craig Morse, the CFO with car wash business Dream Clean, said the business made a zoning application over the summer. The plot of land in question is a thin strip along Highway 45 and the train tracks, just north of Route 176.

Mark Daniel, of Daniel Law Office, spoke during public comments in representing Dream Clean, arguing that car washes offer convenience while generating local traffic. The land’s shape and size limitations also lend themselves to a car wash, he said, and the village would struggle to find an appropriate business otherwise.

After the meeting, Daniel said discussions will be held with the village staff about potential paths forward for Dream Clean.

Community Development Director Amanda Orenchuk discussed the rationale behind the change. She said it would keep car washes “to more appropriate car-oriented locations,” instead of areas where the village is hoping to create “an urban-friendly environment” for pedestrians.

A car wash isn’t “compatible” with that vision, she said.

Monday’s meeting included an extensive presentation from Orechuk and Colleen Malec, senior planner with the Mundelein Arts Commission, about the village’s efforts around beautification and trying to build a community identity.

The hope is that an emphasis on community events, public art and culture, will help generate development and investment. The meeting included an important question directed to the board about the commission’s future, whether it would simply advocate for local art and cultural events, or be a full-blown arts organization that would require greater municipal investment.

Board members were generally supportive, although there were questions around what costs would look like and the effort’s sustainability.

Mundelein isn’t the only community to make a push for redeveloping its identity with murals and public art. In recent years, Highwood has dived headfirst into efforts to make itself an art destination, a former official previously said, with plans to continue adding murals each year. Highland Park has also moved to be more mural-friendly.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/26/mundelein-car-washes/