'Overshadowed' In La Grange? Man Wants To Stop It

LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange resident Jonathan Robinson has been among the residents who have opposed the plan for a 39-unit residential complex.

Now, he is pushing changes to village regulations that he said would protect homeowners.

"While it may be too late for our specific lot, we are proposing 4 critical changes to the La Grange Zoning Code to protect your home from being the next one overshadowed," Robinson said in a statement. "Let’s keep La Grange reasonable for everyone!"

On Jan. 13, the Plan Commission plans to consider his application for the changes (links are for related Change.org petitions):

• Require developers to host neighborhood meetings before submitting applications for zoning changes.
• Record and broadcast all Plan Commission meetings.
• Ban new buildings over three stories directly sharing lot lines with single-family houses.
• Prevent developers from bypassing setbacks or other codes when next to single-family houses.

Other towns, including Elmhurst, require developers to hold neighborhood meetings.

Robinson and his wife, Kiersten Robinson, live on Seventh Avenue next to the proposed complex, which would replace the Jackson Square antique mall at 112 E. Burlington Ave.

The developer, Dan Spain, owner of Elmhurst's The Elm restaurant, plans a four-story structure with underground parking.

In an interview last month, Spain said he aims to be a courteous neighbor.

In October, the Plan Commission approved the proposed development. The Village Board plans to vote on it when the developer meets several conditions.

No date has been set for the Village Board's consideration.

The Plan Commission meets about Robinson's proposal at 7 p.m. Jan. 13 at Village Hall.