The Cook County Housing and Redevelopment Authority voted Wednesday to terminate the amended and restated development and purchase agreement with Temperance Trail Development Company LLC for a parcel near Birchgrove School in the Tofte–Schroeder area.

Jeff, the HRA executive director, told commissioners the agency has extended the developer's contract five times without progress; the most recent extension expired July 1 and the developer had not signaled a readiness to close. Jeff said land-services staff have reviewed preliminary plats but there is no final plat activity and the site remains undeveloped.

Board members recounted the parcel’s long history of proposed housing uses dating back to earlier planning efforts. Commissioners noted the site presented unexpected constraints during planning — recorded easements and wetlands delineations — but that much of the site’s constraints are now identified, which staff said should make the property clearer for future developers.

The board discussed next steps: a return to the town board for input (the parcel was originally town land) and considering a request-for-proposals or another developer solicitation. Commissioners also noted the county now owns adjoining acreage that could increase the project’s overall scale and make a larger housing development possible.

The motion to adopt resolution 25-18 to terminate the agreement with Temperance Trail Development Company LLC was moved and seconded and approved by voice vote; the chair announced the motion carried. Staff were directed to begin conversations with the town board and to consider outreach for new developer interest and possible RFP options.

The board also discussed two related site matters during other business: removing the developer’s “coming 2024” sign from the property and addressing an HRA-owned billboard on Highway 61 that currently has one side down; board members raised the option of leasing the billboard back to the township or otherwise restoring or removing it.

Why it matters: Ending the developer agreement clears the way for the HRA to seek new proposals or partnerships for housing in the West End, an area commissioners identified as having high housing need.