The man who built the Easter Bunny’s home may be allowed to continue doing business in the village.
The Tinley Park Plan Commission voted last week to recommend the Village Board rezone land at 6926 W. 183rd St. from residential to business so that Innovative Decks, a company that manufactures gazebos and similar structures, can remain in operation there.
“I’ve got probably the best-looking piece of property on the street,” said company president Ken Zomparelli, adding his business built the gazebo in Matteson’s Lincoln Mall that housed the Easter Bunny.
Zomparelli’s business was annexed into the village in 1992 and although a gazebo on display in front violated zoning requirements, Innovative Decks was grandfathered in as an exception. Zomparelli said he learned only recently that clause applied only to the original gazebo, not to others he erected as replacements as the display model was sold.
“None of my neighbors have a problem with it,” he said, noting he also has built a gazebo for the village’s annual Oktoberfest.
“He’s done a lot of nice things to the property,” Commissioner Dan Riordan acknowledged.
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Zomparelli, who has been in business since 1990, said he traces objections to the display to an altercation he had with a village building inspector at a job site recently.