LA GRANGE, IL – A La Grange resident earlier this month sued the village government and a developer over the approval of a condo complex next to his house.
Jonathan Robinson, who lives on Seventh Avenue, filed the lawsuit April 8 in Cook County Court.
In January, the Village Board approved the demolition of the century-old Jackson Square antique mall, 112 E. Burlington Ave., to make way for a four-story, 39-unit condo building.
According to village documents, the developer's requested setbacks were "significantly violating" Robinson's property.
In his lawsuit, Robinson, represented by attorney Christian Ketter, alleges the board-approved development fails to adhere to minimal setbacks and loading space requirements.
The lawsuit also contends the village failed to give Robinson a "meaningful opportunity" to express the hardships by the 39-unit complex "encroaching" upon his property. Instead, the village imposed a strict three-minute time limit.
In so doing, La Grange disregarded procedural safeguards and further burdened Robinsion, depriving him of the chance to be meaningfully heard, the lawsuit said.
"Robinson's injuries are greater and more particularized than those injuries sustained by the Village of La Grange's citizenry generally," the lawsuit said.
In early October, the state's Historic Preservation Office emailed the village, explaining that it "screwed up" in previously signing off on the demolition of the historic Jackson building, according to the lawsuit.
The agency contended the Jackson building contributes to the La Grange Historic District, the lawsuit said.
In response to Patch's inquiry about the lawsuit, Village Manager Jack Knight declined to comment, citing the village's policy against commenting on pending litigation.
Patch left a message for comment Monday with Dan Spain, owner of The Elm restaurant in La Grange.
At January's Village Board meeting, many residents spoke out against the planned teardown of Jackson Square.
Since then, Robinson has become involved in local government issues. He has started filming village meetings, posting them to his "Eyes on La Grange IL" YouTube page.
After the board meeting, he went before the Plan Commission with proposals to record their sessions, require developer meetings with neighbors and restrict developments near single-family houses.
Commissioners said they liked the first two ideas. Village President Mark Kuchler has said he expects them to happen.
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