'Real Disaster' Behind Roberto's: Attorney

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst resident Mark Daniel said he has spent more money at Roberto's Ristorante and Pizzeria than he cares to admit. But as an attorney, he represents Roberto's neighbors, who are fighting the restaurant's proposal for two parking lots.

Daniel spoke for nearly 1½ hours before Elmhurst's Zoning and Planning Commission making the case against the restaurant's plan. The business is part of the Spring Road commercial district, and the proposed parking lots would be behind the building, near the neighbors.

Restaurant representatives were given a chance to respond to the case against their proposal, but they told the commission they would submit a written response.

During the hearing, Daniel, who represents Elmhurst Neighbors United, showed photos of the back of Roberto's. He said the pictures demonstrated the restaurant was already in violation of city codes, even while it sought variances from the rules for its expansion.

"Over the past 10 or 15 years, it's been a real disaster back there. There has been no respect for the neighbors," Daniel said. "You've got outdoor storage all over the place. It's not just unscreened waste enclosures, but it's stockpiling of refuse, stockpiling of recycled materials, outdoor storage of materials they use on the interior."

He said other code issues were "fairly obvious" — a boarded-up window, a broken window, doors unable to shut, electric conduit problems, an extension cord running around a portion of the building.

Daniel also pointed to an unscreened waste oil container, saying it smells.

"It is located where? The place where it will cause the least inconvenience to Roberto's and the most inconvenience to the neighbors," he said.

Daniel said churches and schools have parking lots near residential neighborhoods in Elmhurst. But restaurants and bars that are active until 1 a.m. do not, he said.

"I don't think there's a spot like it in Elmhurst," he said.

The commission plans to resume its hearing April 20. Roberto's representatives said they would provide their written response to Neighbors United's case before then. They are expected to answer questions at the meeting.

Last week, Neighbors United announced its endorsement of Alderman Mark Mulliner in the mayoral election and gave $5,000 to the candidate. After Patch discovered the donation, Mulliner returned it.