Neighbors say Ukrainian Catholic church expansion strains parking, safety; mayor pledges further enforcement and talks

Palatine — Neighbors of the Ukrainian Catholic church told the Village Council on Feb. 3 that parking and crowding from services and periodic festivals have created traffic congestion and safety hazards on nearby residential streets.

Resident Dan Rizardini, who identified himself as living at 669 S. Oak St., described repeated illegal parking on intersections and in front of fire hydrants, pedestrians walking in areas with limited sidewalks, and what he called obscene behavior by some attendees during recent events. He said the church’s permitted parking capacity is inadequate for the congregation and noted what he described as prior zoning variances tied to the church campus: “They were granted a variance of 70%. 592 people are the maximum occupancy for the church, which required 170 parking…