Trustees approve front‑yard variation for special‑education site and greenlight Stretch Lab special use downtown

The Village of La Grange Board of Trustees approved two zoning matters at its Sept. 11 meeting.

First, the board granted a variation from the minimum required front yard at 1301 West Casa Avenue to allow construction of concrete stairs and an accessible ramp at the La Grange Area Department of Special Education property. The Zoning Board of Appeals held a public hearing on Aug. 17, found the hardship was not self‑created and recommended approval. The board voted to adopt the ordinance granting the requested variation.

Second, the board approved a two‑step request to allow personal physical fitness training and supervised exercise facilities in C1 and C2 districts without the typical 25‑foot retail depth, and then approved a special‑use permit for Stretch Lab to occupy 4 West Calendar Avenue. Jay Aldrich, representing Stretch Lab, said the franchise will operate assisted stretching sessions with 10 stretch benches in an open layout and maintain a retail area of 511 square feet with a depth of 15.6 feet; the Plan Commission had recommended the application 5–0. Trustees approved both the text amendment and the special use by roll call vote (unanimous).

Trustees and staff said no exterior work is proposed for the downtown unit and emphasized that the two‑step process first changes the zoning allowance and then permits the specific use at the site.