Burr Ridge Conflict Of Interest Alleged On Planning Panel

BURR RIDGE, IL – A conflict of interest allegation has delayed the Burr Ridge Village Board's consideration of a major change to a proposed development.

The developer, Anthony Perino of Jarper Properties, is proposing the eight-lot Cottages of Drew subdivision. It would be on the southwest corner of Drew Avenue and 79th Street.

He is asking for three-car garages for six of the eight houses. Under the 2018 village-approved plan, they were all set for two-car garages.

Last week, the village's Plan Commission unanimously approved the change.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, neighbor Joanne Palmisano, who opposes the change, said one of the Plan Commission members, Mike Stratis, planned to buy a house with a three-car garage.

Mayor Gary Grasso asked, "You're saying one of the plan commissioners who voted on this intended to buy one of the units? Between the 2018 plan and the 2022 plan, that plan commissioner contacted the developer and asked for the third garage?"

Palmisano said Stratis had said so at last week's commission meeting.

Asked by the mayor, Perino said Stratis had expressed interest in one of the houses with a three-car garage.

Because of this situation, Palmisano said, Stratis should have abstained from voting on the issue.

In an interview with Patch, Stratis, who did not attend the meeting, said he inquired 18 months ago about whether Perino was offering three-car options in his development.

But Stratis said he and his wife ended up settling on a different property in Burr Ridge, closing on it in April 2021.

"We have had no related conversations with (Perino) since that date," Stratis said.

He said he fully explained what happened at the Plan Commission meeting.

"As for one particular resident, having concerns with stormwater and other impacts of the development is legitimate discourse," Stratis said. "The unwarranted defaming of me and the village staff and developer is not."

At the Village Board meeting, Grasso proposed sending back the issue to the Plan Commission to clarify the issue involving Stratis. At the same time, Grasso said he had the highest respect for Stratis.

"Commissioner Stratis is one of the finest people I know," the mayor said.

The board voted 3-2 to send the matter to the commission. Trustees Tony Schiappa, Al Paveza and Anita Mital voted in favor, while trustees Guy Franzese and Joe Snyder were against.

Franzese said he could not support the change to the development "in any way, shape or form."

He said he believed the latest proposal made the subdivision too dense.

"I don't want to waste the Plan Commission's time," Franzese said.

Snyder agreed with Franzese.