ELMHURST, IL – An Elmhurst downtown group is asking the city to do away with "parklets," which are used for outdoor dining.
In the wake of the pandemic, Elmhurst and many towns started allowing the use of designated on-street parking spots for such dining.
Elmhurst City Centre, which represents downtown businesses, opposed parklets in 2022 and still does today.
In an Oct. 26 letter to the City Council, City Centre encouraged officials to include clear language in the city's downtown plan, which a committee is reviewing, to end parklets.
City Centre has no issue with outdoor dining on sidewalks.
The group furnished minutes from its June meeting on parklets.
Members said parklets reduced the availability of street parking. And they questioned the fairness of blocking parking spots exclusively for restaurants.
They said the few restaurants with parklets let them sit empty the vast majority of the time because of the weather or because the eateries are closed.
According to the meeting minutes, Mike Allas, owner of Tannins Wine Bar, said the parklet moment had passed. He said any customers who sit in parklets can use sidewalk cafes or sit inside their chosen restaurants.
City Centre's letter also states that the group opposes seasonal closures of York Street. The City Council recently debated the issue.
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