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La Grange trustees appoint Kurt Volkmann chair of Design Review Commission
Summary
The La Grange Village Board voted unanimously (with one absence) to appoint architect Kurt Volkmann as chair of the Design Review Commission, following public questions about process and development approvals.
La Grange trustees on Jan. 26 approved the appointment of architect Kurt Volkmann as chair of the village’s Design Review Commission, seating him through a term expiring in 2026.
President Kuchler said Volkmann was previously appointed to the village’s Environmental Quality Commission in 2021 and transferred to the Design Review Commission in 2022 and that he “has demonstrated his abilities in matters involving design.” Kuchler opened the floor and then moved to appoint Volkmann; Trustee Gail formally moved the appointment and a second was recorded. The roll‑call vote recorded all present trustees voting aye; Trustee McGee was absent.
Several members of the public raised concerns during the meeting about recent high‑density development approvals and the process for selecting commission leadership. Resident John Pluto told trustees he feared a “developer‑oriented design review chairperson” could create conflicts of interest and urged a neutral appointment. Al Foreman and others also criticized the timing and transparency of recent approvals related to the Jackson Square project.
Trustees did not amend the appointment motion on the floor. President Kuchler thanked Volkmann for accepting the role and said the board looked forward to his continued contributions.
The appointment was a formal action of the board; no additional committee or ordinance action was recorded on the appointment at the meeting.
