Shouting After Clarendon Hills Zoning Vote

CLARENDON HILLS, IL – The zoning board for Clarendon Hills last week recommended a controversial drive-thru for a proposed Dunkin' Donuts restaurant.

The board voted 4-3 for the request. Chairman Wil Freve, Krista Casper, Jeff Keiner and Tom Szurgot were in favor, while Andriy Striltschuk, Karin Hanke and Peter Jablonski were against.

After the vote, a man shouted with sarcasm, "Thank you for not taking care of the people you respond to."

An official warned the man that he was out of order.

"B---s---," the man replied.

Another chimed in, "Welcome to Putinville!"

The Village Board has the final say in the matter.

Village Manager Kevin Barr told the zoning board that he would recommend the Village Board take up the issue at its May 16 meeting, rather than its earlier one on May 2.

Village staff has recommended approval of the project.

The developer, Hinsdale-based KrohVan LLC, is proposing a 6,000-square-foot building at the southwest corner of 55th Street and Western Avenue. A third of the development would be for a combination Dunkin' Donuts and Baskin-Robbins restaurant. The rest is for a yet-to-be-determined retailer.

The restaurant would be at the site of the old Tracy's Tavern.

Neighbors are opposed to the project, saying it would worsen traffic at 55th and Western. They packed the zoning board meeting.

The traffic engineer for the developer advised putting up a traffic light at 55th and Western. But he said the only potential impact of the drive-thru on the intersection is if the traffic backs up, which he considered highly unlikely.