La Grange resident Jonathon Robinson definitely thinks the village has a grudge against him.
At a recent Village Board meeting, Robinson alleged he was “bullied off the podium” after 10 minutes at a Nov. 18 La Grange Plan Commission meeting.
“Please note the village staff did not step in to prevent this, even though it would appear we had established by village staff before I began that there was no time limit for an open discussion,” he said.
Robinson said his wife, Kiersten Robinson, tried to cover the rest of his points before the Plan Commission, but was told by the chairperson that he would close the meeting to prevent her from speaking.
“It was only after reminding him that it would be an Open Meetings Act violation that he allowed her to speak,” he said.
Robinson said the timing of new rules for public comment felt directed at him.
“I hope it is not the case, but the timing seems more than coincidental,” he said.
The new rules — which passed unanimously Nov. 24 with little comment — for public meetings, not formal public hearings, limit the time for each speaker to three minutes, “unless the presiding officer designates a longer time period for that meeting.”
No speaker will be allowed additional time when speaking on behalf of a group or association, and no speaker may yield time to another speaker.
Robinson’s interactions began at an Oct. 14 Plan Commission meeting involving a proposed 5-story, 39-unit condo building on property now occupied by the Jackson Square Antique Mall, 112 E. Burlington.
“This is an extremely ridiculous process and for the first time in my life I have felt ridiculously minimized, ridiculously not listened to,” Jonathon Robinson told the commission then. “I have eight balconies that are overlooking my private back yard.”
While Robinson has several concerns, primary among them is the design and height of the proposed development.
Robinson and his family live nearby on 7th Avenue, in a spot where the building would overshadow his 140-year-old home.
Other residents also voiced concerns about the development, including the residents from the condo building next door at 11 S. 6th Ave.
Village President Mark Kuchler denied that anyone on village staff or trustees were taking aim at Robinson personally.
“Rest assured, the code that’s being implemented is not directly related to you,” Kuchler said. “You did raise issues that did cause research by our attorneys, and the law firm of Elrod Friedman, had these procedures in place for many of their villages and recommended that we adopt them.
I can tell you that in the past, the three minute time is pretty much what we have used up here as the guide, although it isn’t always followed.”
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
