Parking Concerns With Western Springs Development

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs trustees this week approved a proposed four-story condo development.

But officials first answered questions about parking near the planned complex at 514 Hillgrove Ave. They said concerns were expressed in a resident's email and at a public hearing.

The development would consist of 10 units. It would include a dozen indoor parking spaces, plus two in the back for guests, according to the village.

"One space per unit is pretty typical in most suburbs, not something that is shocking to buyers when they come to the suburbs," said Martin Scott, the village's community development director.

At the same time, he said the village would need to revisit the downtown parking situation. That effort should focus on high-demand areas, such as near Casey's Market and Village True Value Hardware on Burlington Avenue, he said.

Scott said the village needed to remind employees of downtown businesses about employee parking passes.

Trustee James Tyrrell wondered whether parking for the nearby doctor's offices would be affected.

In response, Scott said the developer's parking report indicated enough spaces would be available.

Village President Alice Gallagher said the village should wait and see whether parking becomes a problem. She said many of the residents in the condo development would probably be away during the day when the nearby doctor's offices are open.

The condo complex would be two blocks east of Village Hall and between an office building and a doctor's office. It is being developed by KLM Development, owned by Felix Lampariello.

The first floor of the condo development would be a commercial space.