Roberto's Parking Lot Foes Back Mayor Candidate

ELMHURST, IL — The Elmhurst group that opposes the plan for controversial parking lots at Roberto's Ristorante and Pizzeria endorsed mayoral candidate Mark Mulliner on Wednesday.

"Elmhurst Neighbors United endorses Mark Mulliner for Mayor because of his stance on 'preserving and enhancing Elmhurst as a family-friendly community' and his desire to 'balance development with green space,'" said Shannon Kelly, one of the group's leaders.

Ward 7's Mulliner is one of three aldermen running for mayor on the April 6 ballot. The other two are Ward 3's Michael Bram and Ward 5's Scott Levin. Bram told Patch on Thursday that he would not support the parking lot proposal as it stands.

Kelly announced Neighbors United's position on its Facebook page. One of its members asked her about the candidates' positions on the parking lots. Kelly responded that Mulliner has shown support for Roberto's neighbors from the beginning.

Another Neighbors United member, Molly Novak, said Mulliner helped the opponents of the parking lots while the area's two aldermen, Ward 5's Levin and Tina Park, "abandoned us." She also said Bram offered no support after coming to the site.

"(Mulliner) has guided us through the process of opposition," Novak said. "For that we are endorsing him because he stands with us in opposition. It’s clear to us how Levin feels, based on his actions as alderman."

In an email, Alderman Levin said he has taken no position on the proposal, saying it would be inappropriate to do so before all the parties have been heard. He said he has spent at least 75 hours on the issue, presenting emails to Patch demonstrating his involvement.

"My significant involvement to date was directed at finding a way to help the parties find a way to reach an agreement before the zoning application was filed, and then before the case went before the Zoning and Planning Commission," Levin said.

He also questioned Neighbors United's endorsement process.

"(T)hrough some opaque process, Elmhurst Neighbors United, a self-described not-for-profit group, has made an endorsement, which is wholly improper for any not-for-profit," Levin said. "Most endorsement sessions, such as the one of The Daily Herald, involve interviews of all of the candidates and careful consideration of the qualifications of the candidates."

In an email, Bram told Patch that he was contacted by directly impacted neighbors Nov. 19. He met with them later that day. He said he has been in contact with residents there off and on since then.

"With that said, what I knew of the proposal back in November and as it stands today I have concerns about meeting the conditional use criteria, so I would not support it,"Bram said.

In an interview, Alderwoman Park said it was unfounded that she and Levin had abandoned the neighborhood. She said she has met with representatives on both sides of the issue.

"I find it interesting that they made the comment that they have been abandoned when I've never heard from Shannon Kelly and Molly Novak," Park said. "I feel I do this job to connect people and help them resolve issues. I like serving my community. We're all on the same team and in the same neighborhood. It's OK to disagree, but we should have civil discourse.

Mulliner couldn't be reached for comment. Patch could find no statement from him on his position on the Roberto's proposal.

Roberto's, 483 Spring Road, is proposing two parking lots for its business and the next-door office building that it owns.

Neighbors say the parking lot would increase traffic and flooding and hurt their property values. They also contend the restaurant has bought houses on the site of the proposed parking lots, but has done a poor job maintaining them.

Restaurant representatives said they are proud of their relationship with the Spring Road business district. They said the parking lots would increase the safety of their customers and the neighborhood.

The city's Zoning and Planning Commission is expected to resume its hearing on the proposal at its meeting Tuesday.