'Pretty Awful' Parking At Burr Ridge Business

BURR RIDGE, IL – Burr Ridge trustees last week rejected a local business' request for parking in front of its building.

And they imposed conditions on the company's plan for more parking in the back. That was in response to neighbors' complaints.

The request came from MedProperties, which rents the building at 7600 County Line Road, near Village Hall. Operating out of the space is Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, which is an outpatient and day rehabilitation center.

MedProperties asked to add five parking spaces in front and increase its spaces in the back by 25, to 108.

MedProperties' lawyer, Caitlyn Culbertson, told the Village Board last week that parking congestion has increased at the site. The added spaces, she said, would alleviate a "pretty awful parking condition."

Shirley Ryan once offered a bus service for patients, but ended it with the pandemic. She said the business had no plan to reinstate it.

Neighbors said the lights from cars and the building bother them. They also expressed concerns about possible flooding.

"Since they don't want their bus program, I think we should make them comply," said Andy Paulius, a Drew Avenue resident.

Another Drew Avenue resident, Mark Thoma, said he feared the additional pavement on the Shirley Ryan property would worsen the stormwater problem.

"After 30 years of flooding, you can see why I'm concerned with any changes that would upset the balance of current drainage," Thoma said.

Trustee Guy Franzese said he opposed the five parking spots in the front. The village has rejected requests from other businesses in such zones for front parking, he said.

"We don't allow it anywhere else, and certainly we shouldn't allow it on our main thoroughfare in the village," he said. "It would contribute more to the industrial look of the building. I wasn't a big fan of the building to begin with."

The building, he said, doesn't fit with the architectural designs of the neighborhood.

"That being said, it's built and it's done now," Franzese said. "Now, we're going to do our best to support this business and make sure they're successful, but I can't see adding five spaces in the front yard."

Mayor Gary Grasso praised the business, but said the building was "overly lit" and "draws unnecessary attention," noting its 9-to-5 schedule.

"Those lights should be considerably dimmed, if not off," he said.

The trustees unanimously turned down the request for parking in front.

They approved the proposal for the 25 additional parking spots in the back, but did so with conditions.

Among the conditions are the dimming of lights, closing shades at night, planting of trees to block headlights and annually cleaning out storm systems.