West Cook News

The La Grange Park Village Board of Trustees met on April 25 to discuss parking concerns and recommendations on how to alleviate them through signage and permits.

Trustee Robert Lautner commented that much work has been done by various committees, staff and the trustees to get to this point. He discussed what the permitting would entail and noted that current village tags will be used for parking permits. Additionally, teachers will be supplied with a faculty parking placard.

“I am very appreciative of all the work and effort, and thought process, that went into this,” Lautner said in the meeting. He added that he supported the change and hopes it will make a big improvement for residents.

The issue was originally discussed at the March 14 trustee meeting. The Traffic Safety and Engineering Committee voted on April 12 to recommend various changes to parking restrictions in the village following numerous concerns about public safety and parking.

Trustee Juan Silva, who expressed his support for the changes, presented committee recommendations that the Village should place "No Parking 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on School Days except with Permit” signage on all streets within the grid bordered by Edgewood East, La Grange Road, Brewster North and Harding that do not currently have restrictions.

The change would affect Brainard Avenue from the southern Village limit to Harding Avenue, Stone Avenue from Richmond Avenue to Harding Avenue, Waiola Avenue from Richmond Avenue to Harding Avenue, Spring Avenue from Richmond Avenue to Harding Avenue, Kensington Avenue from Richmond Avenue to Harding Avenue, Catherine Avenue from Richmond Avenue to Harding Avenue, Ashland Avenue from Woodlawn Avenue to Harding Avenue, Richmond Avenue from Park Road to Catherine Avenue, Woodlawn Avenue from Dover Avenue to La Grange Road, and Oak Avenue from Park Road to La Grange Road.

Police Chief Tim Contois reported that the cost associated with signage would be $24,000 for 205 signs.

The Traffic Safety and Engineering Committee was also asked to discuss the "No Parking At Any Time" zones on Brewster Avenue near the new grocer, Aldi, and the 30-minute parking zones near schools that parents use to pick up or drop off their kids. The committee recommended "No Parking At Any Time" signs on both sides of Brewster Lane from La Grange Road east to the Plymouth Place Village property line; new “30-Minute Parking 7:00 am to 9:00 am On School Days, Except by Permit" signs on Stone, Waiola and Spring Avenues nearest the schools; and new "Permit Parking Only 7:00 am to 3:30 pm On School Days" signs on the north side of Brewster between Spring and Kensington.

The signs were voted and agreed upon by the committee, and the Trustees also voted unanimously in favor of the parking changes.