Politics & Government
La Grange Leader Warns Developer On Parking
The village president clarified the town had no plans to add parking on the West End.
LA GRANGE, IL – La Grange's village president took exception Monday to an answer from a developer about parking for a planned four-story apartment building.
During a Village Board meeting, Trustee Shawana McGee asked about parking for the building proposed for 811 to 901 W. Hillgrove Ave.
The plan is for 36 parking spaces for the 31 apartments, which works out to a little more than one per unit.
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In his response, La Grange resident Adam Codilis, a lawyer who has an ownership interest in the development company 817-821 West Hillgrove LLC, said the 36 spaces will be enough.
But he also said the village is thinking about doing something for parking in the overall area for different businesses.
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When he was done, Village President Mark Kuchler spoke up.
"I'm not going to let you sit down with you suggesting that La Grange is going to do something for the parking," Kuchler said.
He said he didn't want the developer coming to the village in a couple of years asking what La Grange would do about parking.
"We're not planning to build a parking deck up that way," Kuchler said. "This needs to be understood."
Codilis replied, "Yes, sir, I'm sorry if I misspoke. I was speaking to the area in general as to the commercial concerns over there from other business owners."
Kuchler then asked Codilis about the ComEd substation that is next to the site. It is believed that ComEd plans to decommission it, which is space that Kuchler said could result in nine more parking spaces for the apartments.
Tim Foley, an attorney for the developer, said the company is working hard on the possibility of leasing space for parking on the ComEd site.
Kuchler said his understanding was that the substation would be decommissioned within a year. The best use for the property would be parking, he said.
"I'm taking you on faith that when it becomes available, you will use your best efforts to obtain it," Kuchler said.
Codilis said the company would lease the land if it becomes available.
"It'll make the situation better. It'll improve the value of the building," he said.
The Village Board then voted for changes to the local code to make the apartment building possible.
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