St. Charles Postpones Walnut Avenue Closure
- Omer Farooq
- Sep 9
- 2 min read
On March 12, 2024, the St. Charles Planning & Development Committee held a 1 hour 36-minute meeting addressing special use applications, outdoor dining agreements, and a proposed temporary downtown street closure.
Special Uses Approved
Cultural Facilities Amendment: Committee approved a general amendment to Chapter 14, allowing cultural facilities as a special use in the Local Business (BL) district.
Motorcycle Museum at 1317 E. Main Street: Approved as a special use, involving only interior remodeling without exterior changes.
Promised Church at 3809 Illinois Avenue: Approved as a special use for worship primarily on Sundays, with weekdays used as typical office space.
Outdoor Dining License
Penan Brewing Co. at 106 S. River Street: Temporary license for outdoor dining approved, reflecting updated city ordinances and fee structures from November 2023.
Walnut Avenue Temporary Closure Postponed
Proposed closure intended to create a pedestrian-friendly public space, accommodate Flagship outdoor dining, and formalize Arcada bus parking.
Would have resulted in the loss of six parking spaces and raised concerns regarding downtown traffic, ADA accessibility, and business equity.
Public comment was divided:
Supporters highlighted community engagement, pedestrian safety, and downtown vibrancy.
Opponents raised concerns about parking scarcity, traffic congestion, and potential legal inequities favoring specific businesses.
Decision postponed to April 8, 2024 by a 5-4 vote, allowing additional outreach to stakeholders and review of accessibility, traffic, and legal considerations.
Committee Discussion Highlights
Staff were tasked with providing information on Hotel Baker’s parking agreements and Illinois Accessibility Code compliance for Walnut Avenue changes.
Committee members emphasized the need for broader stakeholder engagement with all downtown businesses before approving street closures or exclusive public space agreements.
The meeting concluded with plans to revisit the Walnut Avenue closure and related agreements at the next committee meeting on April 8, 2024.
Comments