FROM THE CHICAGO TRIBUNE:

Future of La Grange pawnshop remains up in air
Propose zoning change would not stop opening, owner says
By Noreen S. Ahmed-Ullah

July 3, 2009

If banning pawnshops doesn’t do the trick, then a proposed effort by some residents to help a businessman recoup his startup costs may be enough to prevent one from opening in downtown La Grange.

La Grange Plan Commission officials approved a revision in its zoning code Monday, which included restricting pawnshops in its shopping district around La Grange Road and Ogden Avenue. But questions remain whether that could really bar a proposed pawnshop from moving in next door to the historic Village Hall.

The village issued a business license in May to Andrew Grayson, who recently managed a pawnshop in North Riverside, after determining nothing in the zoning code prohibited him from opening All-Star Jewelers in downtown La Grange. But then downtown business owners and village residents complained to officials that the store would tarnish the image of their town, would bring criminal activity into the neighborhood and would not be a good fit.

The Village Board will vote on the zoning code changes July 13. In the meantime, officials are trying to figure out whether the ban can really stop Grayson’s pawnshop from opening this month.

“The Village Board has yet to discuss this matter,” Village Manager Robert J. Pilipiszyn wrote in an e-mail. “It is not appropriate to speculate what the Village Board’s deliberations will be.”

But Grayson said his attorney has told him the zoning code changes will not affect him. He said his attorney has been approached by village officials regarding compensation, but no specifics have been discussed.

Zoning code expert Ronald Cope, author of the 2008 edition of the “Zoning Handbook for Municipal Officials,” said the village can’t deny issuing a business license to Grayson now or even next year solely because of the zoning code changes.

“It would be considered a lawful non-conforming use because it existed prior to zoning code revision,” Cope said.

At the Plan Commission meeting, one resident proposed that La Grange residents donate money to Grayson, who has paid for an architect and engineer, and signed a lease on the store.

“I don’t view it as an incentive for him to leave,” said David Bier, 44, who made the proposal and thinks negative perceptions about pawnshops will hurt the village’s image. “If he’s not going to be allowed to open, it doesn’t seem fair that he spent money and then mid-stream everything changed course on him.”

Bier’s idea drew applause from others who were moved by Grayson’s story. He told residents he’s an honorably discharged Marine; his wife is pregnant; he signed a lease and put money into the business after village officials issued the license.

But La Grange Business Association President Michael LaPidus, who has led opposition to the pawnshop, thought it would be a dangerous precedent. He thought the landlord for the vacant store at 71 S. La Grange Rd. should “take responsibility” for signing a lease with Grayson for a business that LaPidus believes would hamper downtown development.

“I’d hate for people to get the impression that we’re paying for him to go away,” LaPidus said. “I’m not sure that’s the solution.”

nahmed@tribune.com
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