As promised, the La Grange village staff this afternoon issued its report containing proposed amendments to the zoning code regarding permitted and special uses in the C-1 central commercial district, more commonly known as downtown La Grange.
As expected, pawnshops are among the types of business currently permitted in downtown that the village wants now to prohibit. Others include payday loan centers, retail ice dealers and stores selling swimming pools, monuments or used building materials. Firearms and ammunition dealers would no longer be allowed as a special use.
"The Staff thinks pawnshops do not support the character of the Village's core retail district," according to its report, which also sought to distinguish pawnshops from existing stores downtown that sell used merchandise, some on consignment. "The principal focus of a pawnshop is the pawn transaction—that is, a short-term, high-interest loan. The retail component of a pawnshop is relegated to miscellaneous, used personal items that are not redeemed."
The position in the report is an apparent reversal for village officials, who just last month issued a business license to Andy Grayson, of Berwyn, who plans to open a resale jewelry and pawn shop in July in the storefront formerly occupied by Hollywood Video.
Grayson said he submitted his application only after he was assured by Pat Benjamin, the village's director of community development, that his store would be welcome.
Village support for the store appeared to wilt after several business owners and residents vehemently objected to the pawnshop.
Village President Elizaberth Asperger said Monday that a business license was issued because pawnshops were a permitted use, but that officials then instead decided to "accelerate" a long-planned review of permitted uses in the downtown district.
The amendments will be forwarded to the village plan commission, which has a scheduled a public hearing on the proposed changes for Monday, June 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall auditorium. Its recommendations on the amendments will be forwarded to the village board of trustees, which may consider and possibly take action on them at its next regular meeting on July 13.
The report also proposes adding several new permitted and special uses for the downtown district, including photography studios on the first floor, certain exercise facilities, massage therapy services and bowling centers. Selling beer and wine in a retail food store also would be added as a permitted use, making legal some stores that already do so.
Click here to view online the actual staff report.
Related stories:
- No surprise if pawnshops make staff ban list
- Stunned by village's about-face on business blessing, pawnbroker wants chance to make case for shop
- Pawn shop plans face "vigorous fight" from LGBA
- Zoning changes sought in wake of pawn shop plans
- LGBA worried pawn shop would burden police
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