La Grange Today

Plan commission rejects bed & breakfast proposal

The La Grange plan commission Tuesday night rejected a resident's proposal to open a bed and breakfast at 232 S La Grange Rd in the village's historic district.

By a vote of 5 to 1, the commissioners ruled that resident Tom Perry's plan to convert a Victorian-era home and coach house into a B&B with six guest rooms was not an appropriate use at the location proposed.

Angela Curran, of 6th Ave, said she would rather see B&Bs in the central business district than in her neighborhood. B&B applicant Tom Perry (far left) and architect Tim Trompeter, listen.
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Some commissioners who opposed Perry's application said they were receptive to the idea of allowing B&Bs to operate at other locations in the village. But Plan Commission Chairman Wayne Kardatzke said there would be no discussion of several amendments to the zoning code that would have created a special use category for B&Bs because the changes had been presented only in the context of Perry's application.

Before the vote, commissioners heard from Perry, his architect Tim Trompeter, and a handful of neighbors and other residents who supported his application.

But commissioners also listened to concerns raised by than a dozen residents, mostly neighbors, who took to the microphone to speak against the application. Most viewed the proposed B&B as a commercial intrusion that would disrupt the residential nature of their neighborhood.

Following the ruling, Perry said he would consult with members of the village staff before deciding whether or not to proceed with his application to the village board of trustees, to whom the plan commission serves only in an advisory capacity.

Four of the six village trustees—Bill Holder, Mike Horvath, Mark Langan and Jim Palermo—were among the nearly 60 residents in attendance at the meeting.

Related story:

• Hearing set for proposed bed and breakfast

Hearing set for proposed bed and breakfast

UPDATE: PLAN COMMISSION REJECTS PROPOSED B&B
Click here for details

The La Grange plan commission Tuesday night will consider a resident's application to operate the village's first bed and breakfast at 232 S La Grange Rd in the historic district.

The property's owner, Thomas W. Perry, proposes to convert its single-family Victorian-era home and coach house into a B&B with six guest rooms, according to a report prepared by the village's community development department.

A bed & breakfast has been proposed for this home and coach house at 232 S La Grange Rd
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He told village officials that the home, built in 1889, has sat vacant for the past two years and requires substantial improvements, according to the report.

Perry, who resides nearby at 125 S La Grange Rd, also told them he has no plans to move himself into the B&B, but would include living quarters for a full-time, on-site staff person.

His proposal also includes seven parking spaces: two in the coach house and five in a parking area.

Because the village zoning code does not provide for B&Bs, the plan commission must first determine whether or not they would benefit the village, and also consider several zoning code amendments proposed in the report, before it can specifically address Perry's application and site plan.

The report's authors, La Grange Community Development Director Patrick Benjamin and Assistant Director Angela Mesaros, said said that "public testimony at the hearing will be an important component of this application and any approvals."

The hearing begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Village hall auditorium.

Any approval by the plan commission is only a recommendation to the village board of trustees, who have sole authority to adopt and amend village ordinances.

The report from Benjamin and Mesaros proposes that B&Bs, if allowed, be categorized as a special use. As such, a separate application hearing would be required for each and any prospective B&B.

The report also proposes several additional limitations on B&Bs. Some of these would:

• Restrict their operation "at this time" to the historic district, and only along S La Grange Rd between Cossitt Ave and 47th St.
• Allow them to utilize only single-family homes that are at least five years old, so that no existing home could be demolished in order to construct a B&B.
• Require that any two B&Bs operating on the same side of the street be spaced at least 500 feet apart.
• Limit the number of guest rooms to six.
• Limit meal service to "breakfast and light snacks" for registered guests only. (Perry has expressed interest in obtaining a liquor license "for afternoon wine and cheese," according to the report. But that application would be directed to the village liquor commission, not the plan commission.)
• Prohibit any commercial services other than lodging, e.g. spa services or retail sales.
• Limit the length of stay for any guest to 14 consecutive days.

Code amendments that address off-street parking and signage specific to B&Bs also are proposed in the report.

It recommends "one parking space plus one space per guest room, and, if there are other frequent employees, then additional parking may be required." Some tandem parking is allowed.

Currently no signs identifying commercial establishments are permitted within residentials areas. The report proposes that each B&B be allowed one ground sign only. It cannot exceed eight square feet and cannot be illuminated by internal light.

Perry proposes to hang his B&B sign from a light post in front of the house.

Additional requirements and critieria are detailed in the 14-page staff report. Click here to view it in PDF. Or click here to view a 50-page PDF containing the report, Perry's application and related documentation.

 

Reports of "ruse" burglaries prompts village alert

An incident Jan. 6 in which a S Catherine Ave homeowner phoned La Grange police claiming that a man posing as a new neighbor attempted to gain access to the house prompted police and other village officials to issue a crime prevention alert regarding "ruse" burglaries.

The Catherine Ave incident appears to be the latest attempt in a string of such burglaries in La Grange and surrounding communities dating back to Nov. 2 when a homeowner in the 800 block of S La Grange Rd told police that a man entered the yard and inquired about trimming some hedges. Meanwhile, according to the homeowner, a second person allegedly entered the home and stole about $500 in cash, which was not discovered missing until the next day.

Victims of ruse burglaries. also known as "gypsy scams," often are elderly residents who are both trusting and easily distracted, La Grange Police Investigator Patrick Fulla said.

The Catherine Ave homeowner is a senior citizen, Fulla said, but one who was alert enough to be suspicious when the stranger, claiming to be a new neighbor, asked to be let inside the home to exchange contact information. Instead, the homeowner shut the door and immediately called police.

No one was apprehended by police in that incident, Fulla said.

An alert posted on the village's website warns that "ruse" perpetrators sometimes have posed as representatives of utility companies, and even the village itself. Often they ask a homeowner to come look at something in the yard, garage or basement as a means of distracting them while an accomplice rummages through the house grabbing cash and other easily concealed valuables, then makes a hasty exit.

"It may be four or five days before the homeowner realizes something is missing," Fulla said.

Residents should always demand identification from individuals claiming to be with the village or a utility company, according to the village's alert.

The alert also cautions residents not to leave doors unlocked or go into their yards with anyone that they do not know.

"Any suspicious behavior is reason to call us," Fulla said.

"We want to protect all our residents and particularly our seniors," Village President Elizabeth Asper said after reading the alert aloud at Monday night's meeting of the village board.

Zoning changes would restrict yard structures

Several proposed changes to the village zoning code that would regulate many of the structures found in the yards of residents—including patios, trellises, outdoor kitchens, and even portable storage units—were discussed Monday night by the La Grange board of trustees.

The changes also would allow larger real estate signs and require a minimum view clearance for driveways entrances and corner lots.

No vote was taken on the changes, which were proposed by the village plan commission following public hearings conducted last October and November.

Click below to view PDF copies of:

• Board Report from Staff
• Illustrations
• Text of Ordinance
• Plan Commission Findings of Fact

Instead the board decided to table any action until its next regular meeting, scheduled for February.

Some trustees said the postponement also will allow them additional time to study proposed changes, and to seek input from residents, as well as local builders and other professionals.

Check back later for more details of the board's discussion.

Flood prevention tips for residents to consider as village officials address sewer system issues

La Grange officials and representatives of the Metropolitan Water & Reclamation District (MWRD) held a special meeting Oct. 18  to explain the causes behind the record summer floods that filled the basements of many homeowners, and also to detail the solutions they are pursuing in an effort to prevent future flooding events.

There's little sense in repeating here the details found in last week's online coverage of the meeting by other La Grange news operations.  One can read those by clicking here, here and here.

Also, video coverage of the entire meeting, which lasted more than two-and-one-half hours can be found on the village's official website. By the way, we applaud the village for its recent decision to post videos of some of its meetings online, in addition to showing them on cable television public access channels.

That said, some La Grange Today readers may find value in watching an excerpt of the meeting, taken from our own footage, in which Community Development Director Patrick Benjamin and Village Engineer Tom Heuer review some of the steps homeowners might take to mitigate flood damage.

These flood prevention tips may not stop a cascade of water rolling off the country club grounds from smashing through your basement window wells, but village and MWRD officials say they are working to prevent a recurrence of that unforeseen nightmare.

 

Village trustees host second "town meeting" tonight in the Ogden Avenue School gymnasium

The second of four "town meetings" hosted by the La Grange village board of trustees will take place tonight at 7:30 p.m. in the gymnasium of the Ogden Avenue School, located at the corner of Ogden and Waiola Aves.

The meeting provides an opportunity for residents to ask questions and voice concerns on any village matters.

The first town meeting occurred Sept. 27 at the Seventh Avenue School, where the focus of residents' concerns centered primarily on the flooding that occurred this past summer, a quarry blast that literally shook homes and businesses, and efforts by village officials to improve pedestrian safety along 47th St and other village thoroughfares.

Click here to watch video coverage of the town meeting at Seventh Avenue School.

Video: Town meeting at Seventh Ave School

Only about 20 residents attended the La Grange village board's "town meeting" Monday night in Seventh Ave School gymnasium.

Village President Liz Asperger attributed the low turnout to the Monday Night Football television broadcast, featuring the undefeated Chicago Bears versus conference rivals, the Green Bay Packers. (The Bears won, 20-17).

But here's your opportunity to view full video coverage of  the town meeting. Simpy click on the image below.

Resident challenges village to rethink leaf collection

With the arrival of autumn, La Grange village officials once again are making plans for the curbside collection of fallen leaves.

But one resident, Rose Naseef, a member of Go Green La Grange, is encouraging homeowners to hang on to their leaves and recycle them as compost, and as mulch for plant beds.

In the video below, addresses the village board at its Sept. 13 meeting to ask that they too consider promoting an eco-friendly approach to leaf management.

 

First of three town neighborhood meetings to be held Sept. 27 in the Seventh Ave school gymnasium

The La Grange village board of trustees Sept. 27 will conduct the first of three neighborhood town meetings in the gymnasium of the Seventh Ave elementary school.

"We hold town meetings every other year in order to promote to communication with village residents in a little bit smaller group setting in locations that may be more convenient for some of our residents," Village President Elizabeth Asperger said Monday night at the board's most recent regular meeting, held in the Village Hall auditorium.

Subsequent town meetings will be held Oct. 25 in the Ogden Ave elementary school gymnasium and Nov. 22 at Community Center, at the corner of Lincoln and Washington Aves.

The public at large also is invited to attend.

Citizens Council membership likely to spike this week as group readies to endorse public office seekers

The La Grange Citizens Council is expecting a surge of residents to apply for membership at its regular meeting Wednesday night as the group prepares to vet and endorse candidates seeking public election next April to seats on the boards of the village, park district and library.

Membership in the non-partisan, volunteer council, whose origin dates back to the the 1930s, could easily double if past election cycles are any indication, Katie Justak, the council's chairperson, said.

The council currently has nearly 30 members, she said. Nearly 60 residents participated in the 2008 endorsement caucus.

Visit the Citizens Council website for more information regarding membership requirements.

In order to cast votes in the caucus, members must have attended at least two prior meetings, according to the council's bylaws.

Thus, new members would have to attend both Wednesday's meeting and the group's regular meeting in October to be eligible to cast votes in the first round of endorsements, scheduled for November, Justak said.

A second round of endorsements will be made at the December meeting, she said.

No decisions have yet been made as to which candidates for public office will be vetted and voted on in November versus December, as candidates have until Oct. 13 to submit applications, Justak said.

A new council member conceivably could attend either the September or October regular meeting, and then attend the November caucus without voting rights, in order to take part in the December caucus, Justak said.

Current council members who have attended at least two meetings in the past year already are eligible to vote in the caucuses as long as they are not absent for more than two consecutive meetings, she said.

Even if the council's membership rises to the level reached in 2008, many vacancies would remain among its 88 seats.

Membership is proportioned among 11 districts across the village, with each district having eight seats.

Vacancies exist in all 11 districts, Justak said. Two districts—#2 and #10, in the far northeast and southeast corners of the village, respectively—currently have no representatives.

View a map of the Citizens Council districts.

Concerned by the fact that resident participation in the council typically falls off significantly between election cycles, Justak has been making an effort to expand its activities since becoming chairperson in 2009.

This past year, the council hosted presentations by officials from the village, park district and library in order to give members and other residents insights to those public entities.

Beginning with Wednesday night's meeting, the council will host the first in a series of forums on significant issues affecting village residents.

Tom Beyer, a La Grange native and attorney representing a group of residents opposing the park district's efforts to sell a portion of Gordon Park, will make a presentation and take questions.

Among other issues the council hopes to address at future meetings are the viability of village pension funds and a proposal to merge some public safety operations with La Grange Park and Western Springs.

Wednesday's council meeting will be held in the Village Hall auditorium, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Anyone is welcome to attend.