Commission approves Glow Works site plan despite parking shortfall; owner says business is primarily wholesale

The Oak Park Planning Commission approved a site plan for Glow Works at 21116 Greenfield Road after staff outlined the site's history and parking issues and a company representative described the business model.

Planning staff said Glow Works received site plan approval in March 2022 but did not develop the vacant parcel approved at that time and began operating without meeting all prior conditions. Staff reported the applicant's parking demand study estimated 24 spaces needed for the overall development, compared with 173 spaces required under the zoning ordinance; the site currently provides 90 parking spaces. Staff noted the commission has authority to approve reductions to off‑street parking up to 50% of required spaces with a parking study and recommended approval subject to 10 staff conditions.

A Glow Works representative said the company has been in business 25 years and that its main source of revenue is wholesale, supplying theme parks and zoos nationwide, while maintaining a local showroom for retail customers. "Our main source of business isn't retail. It's wholesale," the representative said, and added that Office Depot had just renewed a five‑year lease, so the staff understood there would be continuity of tenancy.

The commission moved and seconded the staff recommendation and approved the site plan by roll call; the motion carried. Staff conditions and any required parking study will need to be completed before the project proceeds to permit.