Planning commission approves Just Escape Room expansion at 512 West Burlington

The La Grange Planning Commission voted to approve Plan Case PC 235, allowing Just Escape Room to expand its operation at 512 West Burlington into an additional unit.

Staff told the commission the business first received approval in 2017 and that the proposed expansion would add one escape room by taking on Unit 207 in addition to the existing Unit 204. "The proposed expansion would be 825 square feet," staff said, noting the existing layout is about 1,675 square feet for a combined total of roughly 2,500 square feet.

Commissioners discussed parking and nuisance concerns during the public hearing. Staff said the expansion increases parking demand from seven to ten spaces and that the parcel contains 11 spaces; staff also reported no code enforcement or police complaints about the operation since it opened in 2017. Commissioners included the hours listed in the staff report as a condition and carried forward an earlier noise and lighting restriction: "no music, sound effects, or other noise be audible outside the building and that no flashing or intense lighting be visible outside the building," staff recommended.

Applicant Jordan Couch testified that the new room is meant to add one additional booked group per hour and described weekday and weekend booking patterns. "My plan is just to expand into 1 more escape room," Couch said when asked about the proposal.

The commission moved, seconded and conducted a roll‑call vote; the motion passed. The village will prepare an ordinance reflecting the approval and the conditions. The commission also indicated it will document the official hours of operation in the amendment record so the permitted schedule is clear.