Board approves Classic Cinemas expansion at 80 South La Grange Road

The Village of La Grange Board of Trustees unanimously approved an ordinance granting a special use permit, site-plan approval and design-review permit to Classic Cinemas for an addition to the Classic Cinemas La Grange Theater at 70–88 South La Grange Road.

Planning staff described the proposal as an addition that will add three auditoriums (two at 73 seats, one at 39 seats), bringing the theater to nine auditoriums and 503 total seats (current house count cited as 318 seats after earlier renovations). The project requires demolition of portions of 70–76 South La Grange Road (former Hot Dog and Burger Company and Prime Cuts) and will remove 11 parking stalls and eliminate a private driveway on the west side of the property; emergency pedestrian egress will be maintained.

Staff summarized the Planning and Zoning Commission review: commissioners generally found the design acceptable, recommended approval by a 6–0 vote and proposed five conditions: (1) provide and stain a portion of a wall as a mock-up of final façade materials and colors for village review; (2) record a shared-parking agreement or similar instrument to memorialize existing shared parking arrangements; (3) submit a photometric plan demonstrating code compliance prior to board consideration; (4) submit landscaping and grading plans prior to building permit issuance; and (5) clarify parcel ownership and developer relationships. Planning staff told the board that plan-commission conditions 1, 4 and 5 were addressed in the draft ordinance and that a photometric plan will be prepared before permit issuance.

Operator Chris Johnson addressed the board, saying Classic Cinemas served 180,008 patrons from Sept. 25, 2022 to Sept. 24, 2023, and described the expansion as a way to increase capacity and diversify programming. Trustees questioned whether the color-sample review pertains to back and side elevations and asked about the rationale for requiring a recorded parking agreement given the property-owner north of the theater did not want to encumber its land; staff explained the draft restrictive covenant approach and the intent to avoid a future code violation if access were later removed.

After discussion, Trustees voted by roll call and the ordinance passed unanimously. Conditions noted by the Planning Commission will be implemented by the applicant prior to permits or as required by the ordinance.