Elmhurst Delays Vote On Controversial Restaurant Issue

Elmhurst IL

16 September, 2021

2:03 PM

Description

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst City Council had planned to take up a local restaurant's controversial request for two parking lots at its meeting next week. But on Thursday, the city revealed it was delaying a discussion and possible vote on the issue until next month. Asked for the reason, Mayor Scott Levin said in an email, "The minority report is still being finalized, and to allow more time for aldermen to consider their positions before it comes before the Council. Almost certainly to be on the Oct 4 agenda." Alderwoman Dannee Polomsky, chairwoman of the council's Development, Planning and Zoning Committee, is writing the minority report. Last month, the committee voted 2-1 against the parking lot proposal by Roberto's Ristorante, 483 Spring Road. Aldermen Emily Bastedo and Mark Mulliner formed the majority. "I'm still ironing out details to include in the minority report," Polomsky said in an email to Patch on Thursday. "I've been talking with staff all week in an effort to ensure the report will address concerns raised — to the greatest extent possible — about both compatibility with the area and storm water mitigation. While the report possibly could be finished before Monday's meeting, I would like for it to also be fully reviewed by staff and legal counsel. I also think it should be posted at the same time agendas are posted (Thursday before a Monday meeting), so anyone interested may read and digest it before a decision is made." She said she did not know if the majority had its report ready. Neighbors of Roberto's contend the parking lots would result in more flooding, noise and traffic. The lots would be within a few feet of some houses. Roberto's, however, says the lots would alleviate parking issues in the Spring Road business district. At last month's committee meeting, Polomsky twice said she would not want a parking lot next to her house. But she said she wanted to explore opportunities where the restaurant could get its parking lots with conditions that would recognize the neighbors' concerns. "I will work with staff, neighbors and the applicant to come up with what I think is feasible and reasonable and still allows for the use and also allows for something more fitting with the neighborhood," she said. In May, the Zoning and Planning Commission voted 5-2 in favor of the parking lots. This week, the lawyer for the neighbors, Mark Daniel, accused the mayor of pushing Roberto's agenda. In response, Levin called Daniel's allegation "absolutely not true," saying he had not told aldermen which way to vote.