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 spaces. They were granted a permit for 51 parking spaces,” Rizardini said in public comment.

Another resident, Norris Harstad of 735 S. Oak St., said some neighbors had seen no-parking signs taken down during festivals and called for a neighborhood meeting to work on solutions. Both speakers asked for stepped-up enforcement, including towing and expanded no-parking zones during events.

Mayor Schmitz responded that village staff and the police department have been actively addressing the situation. Schmitz said police wrote multiple tickets during recent services and that the village is discussing options including expanding temporary no-parking restrictions for special events, requiring event staffing by village officers at the event organizer’s cost (similar to other large community events), and meeting with church leadership to seek cooperative, off-site parking or alternative arrangements. “We will continue the dialogue and get a meeting set up with the church,” Schmitz said. He also noted that the church’s larger congregation since recent events in Ukraine was an unanticipated factor driving increased attendance.

What residents asked for and what the village said it will do

- Residents requested more consistent enforcement (citation and towing), creation of no-parking zones on side streets during large services/events, and a meeting with church leadership to coordinate parking.

- Mayor Schmitz said the village will continue enforcement and hold a meeting with church leadership; he warned that organizers may need to pay for police staffing at very large events or move events off-site if the on-campus footprint cannot safely absorb them.

Why this matters: Residents said on-street parking and pedestrian movement are creating potential public-safety problems (blocked hydrants, narrow streets that could impede emergency vehicles) and community-quality issues (driveway blockages, property encroachment). The council did not take a formal enforcement vote at this meeting; the mayor’s remarks indicate further administrative action and a planned meeting with the church and police.

Requests and next steps: Residents requested additional enforcement and possible no-parking designations. The village manager/mayor’s office and police department said they will meet with church leadership and consider event-specific police staffing and additional parking controls for future large events.