Planning officials in Tinley Park are not exactly in a giving mood as they consider a request to ease restrictions on Christmas tree sales.
“Why should we change it when we have a good thing?” Commissioner Cal Schipma asked at last week’s meeting.
Village law permits only non-profit organizations to sell Christmas trees and tropical plants, because of problems years ago when an abundance of vendors set up shop at temporary sites around town. An exception is when a business operates a plant nursery, as does Builders Square.
The idea of changing that practice arose at the request of Golf ‘N Dogs, 16532 Oak Park Ave., a combination miniature golf course and drive-in restaurant.
Officials have said owners of that business want to sell Christmas trees, as they did last year, to bring in revenue during the off-season. Last year’s sales occurred without village permission because the trees were on their way before the municipality became aware of the sales.
Commissioner Brian Maher was not very merry about the idea.
“How many businesses are going to look at this as an opportunity of selling crap off their lot?” Maher asked. “Not to be a Scrooge, but I’m concerned we could open up a Pandora’s box of Christmas tree lots all over town.”
Potential vendors would need to be a licensed business, complete the necessary state registration and perhaps pay a temporary-use fee. Sales also would be allowed only for a specific period.
However, Seaman and the commissioners said they doubted whether the ordinance could be amended that soon, if at all.