Perry Withdraws Historic District Bed And Breakfast Application

The La Grange bed and breakfast is over—for now.

Hopeful innkeeper Tom Perry withdrew his application Wednesday afternoon, a day after the village Plan Commission denied a request to change the village zoning code in a 5-1 vote.

The current village zoning code does not allow the operation of a bed and breakfast within the community. Perry was seeking to change that with his application to the village. He wanted his 19th century Victorian home at 232 S. LaGrange Road to offer six guest rooms and seven parking spaces. He said he believed a bed and breakfast on LaGrange Road would fill a need for temporary lodging in the village.

But after 16 village residents spoke out against the planned bed and breakfast, the commission members opposed any changes to the zoning ordinances. Village residents neighboring the proposed inn objected to a business operating within a residential district and said they could not see a need for such an operation in the area.

The property sits just blocks from the , 444 S. LaGrange Road, inside the La Grange Historic District, which is registered in the National Register of Historic Places. Karen Lynch, president of the La Grange Area Historical Society said her organization took no stance on whether or not a bed and breakfast should operate in the neighborhood.

Patrick Benjamin, director of community development, said he and his staff met with Perry following Tuesday night’s vote to discuss what had transpired.

“He saw the writing was on the wall, the public need wasn’t established and he withdrew his case as of Wednesday,” Benjamin said Friday afternoon.

The Plan Commission does not have the final say on zoning changes. The commission serves as an advisory committee to the village board of trustees, so Perry could have sought to appeal to the trustees.

Benjamin said he typically meets with applicants seeking a zoning change if the commission resoundingly opposes their application. He said Perry filed two applications with the village at a cost of $1,500 each and he wanted to meet with him to discuss the proposal before Perry opted to spend any more money on the project.

“It was prudent to talk with him and to see what his intentions were” Benjamin said.

When Perry presented his case to the Plan Commission Tuesday night he had support of several neighbors who said a bed and breakfast would be an asset to the community. Resident Tim Reardon said it would add charm to the community and help showcase downtown businesses.

Ryan Williamson, president of , said his organization did not take a stance one way or another on the proposed inn.

“I was reached out to a few times, but it was something I didn’t want to take a stance on,” Williamson said. “This was on the voice of the residents. We stepped aside to see what came of that.”

Williamson said he has not seen any data showing evidence of a need for additional lodging in town. However, he said he supports measures to improve the economic vitality of the community.

“I certainly do not want to regulate or police the kind of business that comes in, but the idea of a bed and breakfast is in its infancy and needs to play out more,” Williamson said.

Perry has already made significant improvements to the property, including new staircases and lowering the basement floor to provide more useable space. Following Tuesday night’s meeting he said if he cannot turn the property into a bed and breakfast he will likely restore the home and sell it on the open market. He did not rule out looking to open a bed and breakfast elsewhere.