The Forest Park Urban Design Review Board voted Oct. 17 to approve a redesign of a storefront at 530 East Main Street, approving façade and site improvements recommended by staff while specifically excluding the staff-recommended sidewalk reconstruction from the approval.

Nicole (planning staff) told the board staff found the proposed design “is in harmony with the general character” of the area and recommended several conditions to break up the scale of the long, one-story building: a staggered front façade, boxed or recessed windows, layered panels, and streetscape improvements including resurfacing the parking lot and delineating the sidewalk from the driveway. Staff also recommended boxed landscaping and other streetscape revitalization measures.

Prem Kumar, the project architect, said his client intends to upgrade the existing liquor-store unit and, in a later phase, combine an adjacent convenience store into a larger unit. Kumar told the board structural constraints limit the ability to build a staggered structural façade without extensive demolition, and that the design instead uses painted treatments, canopies, under-canopy lighting and hanger rods to create visual breaks.

Board members questioned whether a clearer rendering was available; staff acknowledged that printed elevations did not reproduce clearly and brought a color drawing for review. Staff emphasized that the Main Street corridor has red brick pavers and recommended continuing that paving across the parcel while delineating sidewalk from driveway.

During discussion contractors and the applicant said façade treatments such as pilasters or an 8-inch bump-out could create a visible shadow line without major structural work; the contractor said sidewalk reconstruction would likely be more expensive than the façade modifications. The board moved to approve the application with the staff’s design stipulations except for the sidewalk improvement; the motion passed by voice vote.

The approval requires the applicant to implement the façade treatments and other conditions recommended by staff, excluding the sidewalk reconstruction. The board did not specify enforcement dates in its motion.