Burr Ridge May Get Outdoor Dining Year-Round

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge is poised to allow outdoor dining year-round as long as restaurants follow village rules with their enclosures.

On Monday night, the Village Board is set to take up the issue.

During the winter, Jonny Cab's and Capri Express restaurants, both in County Line Square, asked for the village's permission to set up enclosures for outdoor dining year-round.

In February, the Village Board requested the Plan Commission hold hearings on the topic. Three were held.

Earlier this month, the commission voted 7-1 for allowing such enclosures, with member Richard Morton against the proposal.

Under the commission's proposal, the village would require enclosures to be made of high-quality materials such as aluminum or glass. Vinyl, fabric and canvas would be prohibited.

No advertising would be allowed on the enclosures. The commission also said the structures should follow all codes, including those for buildings and fire prevention.

Throughout the hearings, the village received four written comments about allowing outdoor dining enclosures – three for and one against.

"I would be in favor of such structures that help and better support local business," resident Mike Delaney said. "I would like the board to put together strict guidelines on the appearance of these structures to ensure esthetically they fit in."

Resident Patricia Davis described outdoor dining enclosures as "ugly, foreboding, funereal, and uninviting."

"This is not an upscale look befitting Burr Ridge," she said.

She noted Capri Ristorante has long had an enclosed patio, but said that fact should not sway the Village Board.

"Don't be fooled by the 'Well, Capri has one, why can't we?' pitch," Davis said. "The proliferation of these ugly canvas boxes is not the look we want in town."