Stricter Western Springs Parking Proposed

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs is considering extending its two-hour parking restriction to weekends in areas of downtown.

In a memo in May, Martin Scott, who was the village's community development director at the time, said business owners have complained about long-term weekend parking.

During the week, people can only park in certain areas for two hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Scott proposed extending that rule to the weekend.

"The problem arises when drivers use prime customer spaces for all-day parking on weekends," Scott said. "Business owners have observed the public using these spaces when riding Metra to visit the city, attending fests or sporting events."

The drivers, he said, take the path of least resistance and park near Village Hardware, Casey's Market and other businesses.

Scott said parking was critical for the survival of retail, restaurants and offices in town.

Half of those surveyed in a downtown parking study indicated the village does not have enough parking for shopping and dining, Scott said.

The new weekend restrictions would apply to the 800 and 900 blocks of Hillgrove and Burlington avenues, according to village records.

The village's Transportation and Safety Commission plans to review the proposed changes at its meeting Tuesday.