With a large crowd expected to attend, Clarendon Hills officials have changed the location for the next Village Board meeting.
Instead of using the usual Board room at Village Hall, which has a capacity of 75, the meeting at 6::30 p.m. Monday, March 16, will take place at Christ Lutheran Church, 60 55th St., which has a capacity of about 350.
The large attendance is expected because the meeting will feature a presentation on options for a Downtown Improvement Plan from consultant Houseal Lavigne, which is expected to bring multiple ideas for consideration in its presentation.
The Downtown Improvement Plan has been a hot topic in the village, as several residents have expressed opposition to an option that would eliminate a right-turn slip lane that is part of the Sloan Triangle at Prospect and Park Avenues, in place of a plaza.
Village President Eric Tech has repeatedly said that the Downtown Improvement Plan study is for the entire downtown area and not specifically about adding a plaza.
The Village Board is expected to vote April 13 on a plan to pursue.
Assistant village manager Mera Johnson said the change in venue for Monday’s meeting will offer the opportunity for many more people to attend in-person.
“We just don’t want any accusations of impropriety,” she said.
A downside of moving the meeting from Village Hall is that being off-site won’t allow for online participation, listening, viewing or commenting, all things that normally are available at the board’s normal meeting spot.
“I’m disappointed we won’t have online participation, but we will have enough room for everyone who can attend to sit and see,” Johnson said.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
