The La Grange Park Planning and Zoning Commission Jan. 18 unanimously approved positive recommendations on sign variations to send to the full Village Board for a proposed Andy’s Custard at 515 and 531 N. La Grange Road.
The Commission already approved positive recommendations for special use permits and a site plan review for the project at its Dec. 16, meeting, and variances for sign variations were all that was left for the Commission to consider.
“I think the signs should help customers process menus quickly, more quickly,” Commissioner Jim Lee said during discussion before the vote, noting that he believed that they would help reduce backlogs of customers moving through the facility.
The sign variations included an increase in menu signs and their height, increased directional signs and building wall signs, and increased height on the lit exterior sign on the proposed canopy — from 16-feet to 25-feet.
The proposed Andy’s Custard store would sit on the site of Phillip’s Flowers and the former Original Pancake House.
At the Dec. 16 meeting, several residents expressed concerns about possible an increase in traffic that the restaurant could bring, especially those living on or near La Grange Road.
Especially concerning to some at that prior meeting was the already difficult left turn made from the location to head South on La Grange Road.
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“The problem is La Grange Road,” Hugh Dellios said then. “What you’re creating is a magnet for kids. That road is frankly frightening.”
Only one resident spoke at the Jan. 18 meeting, which was held virtually due to statewide COVID-19 protocols.
Richard May highlighted the differences the proposal would have from other Andy’s Custard locations in the Chicago area in terms of traffic safety features entrances and exits on La Grange Road.
“This proposal for an Andy’s Frozen Custard is incomplete until IDOT (Illinois Department of Transportation) weighs in on the safety of this drive through,” he said.
Commissioners commented briefly on the subject of added traffic to the area.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of congestion here,” Drew McElligott, who voted against the special permit for the drive-through Dec. 16 over traffic safety concerns, said.
“I’d be interested to hear what the IDOT study shows in relation to that,” Robert Bartholomai said.
Another concern of residents at the Dec. meeting was the lights, particularly on the canopy, which would now be 25-feet high.
Speaking for Andy’s, architect Jeffrey Kloch said that the effects of the lit canopy would be mitigated.
“They’re only illuminated on the bottom,” he said. “The sides are almost completely opaque. So basically, it’s downward directional light.”
Contacted later, Assistant Village Manager Maggie Jarr indicated that the proposal would now go to the full Village Board at its Feb. 8 Board Workshop.
“At the Feb. 22 meeting, the Board will consider approval,” she said.