A proposal to allow five story buildings “by right” in La Grange met with resistance as village officials debated elements of a new Comprehensive Plan that would guide development in the village for the next 10 to 15 years.
Currently, buildings are only allowed to rise three stories by right in La Grange, but one element of the plan proposes raising those limits in some commercial districts and mixed-family residential areas. Any changes under the plan would be considered only a matter of guidance, or intention. It would take a formal action by the Village Board to actually change code.
“I would want to, at least, start by striking five stories by right,” Trustee Lou Gale said. “It strikes me as just a bridge too far for us as a village.”
Since the proposal was made public, it has drawn criticism, especially from residents south of 47th Street and along the BNSF railroad corridor.
Trustee Beth Augustine said new height allowances should at least be considered, noting that the village’s Comprehensive Plan of 2005 called for the three story limit.
“This is a goal and a thought process,” she said, adding that no changes to village codes are being voted on. “But it’s a signal that we’re willing to consider these things. … At the very least I think we should be looking at four (stories). I’d like it to be some kind of middle ground.”
Augustine also said an updated plan could attract developers.
“I’d like to not stay where we were 20 years ago,” she said.
Village President Mark Kuchler agreed with Gale, and said he worried that residents might not have a say in developments affecting their lives and property.
“I don’t think it’s progress that residents can’t say, ‘hey, I live directly behind this building, and I don’t want what used to be a two-story building to be a five-story building by right.’”
Kuchler said he lived in a section near Hillgrove Avenue where a recent development was approved for four stories.
“I know a lot of the neighbors that live over there, and I understand their concerns,” he said. “I don’t think eliminating their ability to have feedback is progress at all.
Kuchler pointed to other recent developments in the village that rise higher than three stories, such as the Uptown Apartments, Mason Pointe subdivision, and the Hillgrove development.
“The developer knew that they were going to have to work with the community, and the neighbors, but they got approved,” he said. “That’s the process we should have.”
Michael Blue from Teska Associates, the firm that helped draft the comprehensive plan, made the case for including language allowing five story developments by right.
“Five came from the character that’s already in downtown,” he said, adding that most of the discussion in approving those higher-story projects was focused not on height, but design standards.
In the end, several board members agreed with Gale’s suggestion that language in the plan would indicate the village would “consider” four stories, but no action was taken.
The debate will continue when the Village Board meets again Oct. 28 at the La Grange Village Hall, 53 S. La Grange Road.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
