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Board approves zoning relief to allow Shea Hotel rooftop restaurant, with parking conditions
Summary
Trustees approved zoning relief for a rooftop restaurant at the Shea Hotel, 519 W. Algonquin Rd., subject to conditions including off‑site parking agreements and village review if parking becomes a problem.
The Village Board on Monday directed staff and the village attorney to prepare final documents granting zoning relief that will allow the Shea Hotel at 519 West Algonquin Road to open a rooftop, full-service restaurant to the public.
Planning staff presented background on the property, which sits on roughly 2.6 acres in the village's M2 limited manufacturing zoning district and currently operates as a hotel and banquet hall. Planner Emily said the rooftop amenity is about 3,700 square feet and was enclosed in 2024; “The rooftop is approximately 3,700 square feet. It is enclosed with a glass structure that was constructed in 2024,” she said. The petitioner is not proposing exterior changes to the building.
Because opening the rooftop restaurant to the public increases peak parking demand, staff told the board the petitioner’s parking study estimated a peak demand of 224 spaces but that existing code would require 257 spaces — a projected deficit of 86 spaces based on on-site stalls. The petitioner has secured off-site parking agreements: Bright-O-Matic agreed to allow use of 20 spaces and the Hand Therapy Center agreed to allow up to 120 spaces. Staff recommended approval conditioned on maintaining those off-site agreements and several other measures, including installation of outstanding landscaping and provisions that allow the village to require additional parking if problems arise.
Trustee Schwingbeck moved to direct staff to prepare final documents granting the requested zoning relief; Trustee Bertucci seconded. The motion passed by roll call. Board members who spoke during discussion praised the rooftop space; Schwingbeck said she had been to the site and noted the rooftop had been enclosed. The petitioner and consultants were available to answer questions but did not add to staff's presentation.
The approval allows the hotel to apply for any additional licenses needed (for example, a liquor license that would permit sales to the public in the rooftop space) and places conditions on parking and landscaping to reduce the risk of spillover parking on neighboring properties.
