Council grants off-street parking exception for new Roger Williams restaurant amid neighborhood parking concerns

The Highland Park City Council on Jan. 27 approved an ordinance granting a special exception for off-street parking relief for a proposed restaurant at 565 Roger Williams, allowing the project to proceed despite a net loss of seven on-street spaces. The vote was 7-0.

Councilmember Annette Littler, who serves as the council liaison to the Plan and Design Commission, said the commission recommended the project 7-0 and described the proposal as an exciting redevelopment of a long-vacant building into a 30-seat interior restaurant with an additional outdoor area that could accommodate roughly 100 seats. Littler said she supported the project but expressed concern about parking impacts on the neighborhood, citing Thursday-night food-truck events and Ravinia Festival crowds.

Council members discussed existing public parking in the nearby three-block area, the potential for valet or shuttle arrangements and transit options including PACE bus service and the train station. Councilmember Kim Stone noted the neighborhood—s historical walkability and said encouraging walking and transit could mitigate the parking impact. Councilmember Yumi Ross urged that the voices of existing businesses on Roger Williams be heard because any change to parking could have a ripple effect.

Planning and Design Commission had reviewed the proposal and recommended approval; staff said public parking lots are available nearby and that the project complies with the commission—s design review conditions. The clerk recorded a unanimous roll-call vote approving the ordinance.

Council members urged the applicant and staff to consider operational mitigations such as valet, use of the train-station lot, and parking management on event nights. The ordinance approves the special exception and design review necessary for the restaurant to move forward on Roger Williams.