We are requesting a formal review and reconsideration of the approvals related to the rezoning, special use permit, site plan, and demolition of Jackson Storage Building (current home of Jackson Square Antique Mall). In doing so, we are hoping to satisfy many of the concerns regarding procedural transparency, completeness of the public record, and the project's impact on the historic and civic character of our community. We are asking those in La Grange Village Hall to fulfill their duties as servants of the village and provide some transparency to this highly controversial issue.

1. Transparency and Procedural Review

We ask that the Village review the approval process to ensure that it complied fully with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, took adequate consideration of public comments and concerns, and operated under full transparency throughout. There is concern that incomplete information, materials not fully available to the public prior to key votes, and incomplete information may have influenced the decision. We are requesting:

• Disclosure of all reports, correspondence, and submissions relied upon during deliberations
• Confirmation that all relevant meetings were properly documented and that sufficient public notice was provided beforehand.
• Publication of all Planning Commission and Design Review materials related to the project.

2. Historical Significance and Procedural Compliance

The Jackson Storage building is an enormously important part of the historic and architectural heritage of La Grange. Originally built in 1902 with significant updates in 1924, the George Kingsley-designed building is known for its unique Art Deco, Egyptian Revival features. The building is also believed to have connections to other noteworthy figures in Chicago architecture, such as Francis Barry Byrne, a prominent Prairie School architect and former associate of Frank Lloyd Wright. Located on Burlington Avenue parallel to the BNSF railway, the building has been the unofficial welcome sign of La Grange to train commuters for over a century. In many ways, it is synonymous with the image of our village. The building also hosts a shop-numbered Otis freight elevator, a rare example of early twentieth-century industrial engineering.

An IEPA SHPO Log (#014072225) dated October 6th, 2025 states that the building at 112 E. Burlington (Jackson Storage) as well as 5 6th Ave in LaGrange are “eligible for listing on the National Register of Historical Places under Criteria C for their architectural significance and as contributing properties to the La Grange Historic District”. It goes on to say that “based on available information, we have determined that the proposed project will result in an adverse effect, which must be avoided, minimized, or mitigated (per 20 ILCS 3420, as amended, 17 IAC 4180)”.

In accordance with the Illinois State Agency Historic Resources Preservation Act, whenever it is found that a proposed development could have adverse effects on historic properties, it is required that the project initiate a mandatory consultation process that usually results in the completion of a Memorandum of Agreement. We are requesting that this MOA be performed.

It is determined that the Jackson Storage building is an established asset of Downtown La Grange, a part of the National Register of Historic Places. Its loss would result in the irreversible weakening of our communal identity. Residents fear it would mark the beginning of a quickly growing trend that’s left so many of our charming, beloved neighborhoods utterly unrecognizable, and that LaGrange would eventually follow suit. A trend that solely prioritizes the will and wishes of developers and fails to consider the short and long term impacts on residents, and in turn fails the community. We are requesting that all preservation alternatives be fully evaluated, including:

• Adaptive Reuse
• Design modifications that incorporate historic elements
• Partial Preservation
  
  

3. Clarification Regarding Contingencies

We would like to ensure that the contingencies attached to the Planning Commission's approval were formally reviewed and presented to the Village Board prior to final action. There is concern this never took place. No publicly available, documented presentation or vote appears to have occurred regarding whether those conditions were satisfied. Because the Planning Commission's recommendation was contingent upon further review, clarification of how those contingencies were evaluated is necessary. We insist the Village take advantage of this opportunity to further include the community and perform this review.

4. Complete and Independent Technical Review

We are requesting that an independent structural assessment regarding the building's safety, an environmental impact evaluation, and a fire emergency analysis all be performed.

5. Zoning and Community Planning

We believe any and all zoning amendments should clearly reflect a prioritization of the broader public interest, in addition to aligning with the Village’s comprehensive planning goals (which resident tax dollars were allocated towards determining). Residents have expressed concern regarding setback variances and compatibility with surrounding residential properties, the scale and density of the development relative to neighboring homes, potential impacts on privacy and the long term precedent for zoning changes within LaGrange.

6. Community Impact

We request the following evaluations be performed to help ensure residents that the long term sustainability and livability of La Grange was considered upon approval:

• Parking availability
• Construction-phase impacts on neighboring properties
• Noise and light impact
• Sanitary sewer infrastructure capacity

We implore the village to thoroughly review these concerns with the diligence and transparency that is warranted. We consider this an absolutely necessary step in the restoration of public trust in our local government and hope the Village will take this opportunity to engage more openly and constructively with residents.