La Grange Developer's 'Terrible' Downtown Idea: Village Leader

LA GRANGE, IL – An osteopathic doctor wants to use the first floor of a downtown La Grange building, an idea that a top official opposes.

In downtown, village officials prefer the first floor be used for retail and restaurants, keeping a pedestrian-oriented atmosphere.

The La Grange code calls for such uses, but Dr. Alex Georgiou is seeking an exception.

The building is at 108 W. Calendar Ave. Last year, the Village Board approved the request of the building's owner, Dan Spain, to have five short-term rental units on its second floor.

Spain, who owns The Elm restaurant in La Grange, is also the developer of the controversial project to demolish the Jackson Square antique mall on Burlington Avenue to make way for a four-story condo building, which the Village Board approved earlier this week.

At Monday's Village Board meeting, Village President Mark Kuchler said he was against the proposal for a doctor's office on the first floor.

"The developer has a tenant coming before the Plan Commission tomorrow to change our retail rules," Kuchler said. "I think that's a terrible idea. I think we need to start protecting our retail in the core business district, and I hope that the Plan Commission will look at that very seriously."

The doctor's proposal is to include retail sales of beauty supplies and food products.

The village's staff recommended against changing the code for the doctor.

The commission made no decision Tuesday. It plans to revisit the matter at a later meeting.