Burr Ridge Gets 'More Say' At Shopping Center

BURR RIDGE, IL — The Burr Ridge Village Board on Monday approved an overall plan for parking at County Line Square — the lack of which has been a frustration for local officials.

Mayor Gary Grasso said the plan would bring the shopping center into "a state of compliance more consistent with overall standards in Burr Ridge."

"This is something that Burr Ridge has been trying to achieve for a long time," Grasso said after the unanimous vote. "This will allow us to have a little more say about what's happening over there."

As part of the process, the village is eliminating the fire lane at County Line Square. In its place will be a standing and loading lane and valet-specific zones. Officials agreed the shopping center would need distinct signs to indicate the zones.

Earlier this year, members of the Plan Commission said the shopping center had failed to handle parking, which resulted in a number of tenants getting zoning exceptions from parking requirements. They said County Line Square needed an overall plan that would it make it a "planned unit development."

John Garber, son of County Line Square owner Bob Garber, speaks to the Burr Ridge Village Board in September. He says parking is not an issue at the shopping center. (David Giuliani/Patch)

In May, John Garber, son of County Line Square owner Bob Garber, told the Plan Commission that parking was not an issue at County Line Square. Some officials agreed. At a meeting last month, Trustee Tony Schiappa said he has always found a spot at the shopping center, no matter the time of day.

This fall, the board designated the Village Center, County Line Square and nearby areas as a downtown business district. In the district, the village imposed a 1 percent sales tax to pay for projects there.

At Monday's meeting, the board enacted a moratorium for the district until May, so the village would have a chance to review and possibly revise zoning codes.