The Rundown: Palos Heights City Council Meeting

The Main Story: The council spent most of the meeting debating a zoning change for the Tiffany Square Shopping Center, 7230 W. College Drive. The motion allows the shopping center to fill 50 percent of its square footage with non-retail tenants, but limited those tenants to medical and professional offices.  Any potential tenants not fitting that description would have to come before the council for approval.

After a debate, Aldermen Dolores Kramarski, Jack Clifford and Robert Basso voted no. The motion passed 5-3. The shopping center's owner, Omar Zayyad, described the center as being in precarious financial shape and hoped the change in zoning would allow him to attract more stable tenants.

The Votes: The council voted to increase the B-1 special use zoning in Westgate Valley Commons at 13201 S. Ridgeland Ave. This move clears Van Henkelum Funeral Home to move into the space. The funeral home was a long time Palos Heights business and will be moving back to town after a several year absence. The motion passed 8-0.

The council also voted to approve of the low bid from Gaskil & Walton Construction Co. for upgrades to the pump station. Approval is subject to written conformation from Palos Community Hospital that it is prepared to cover a portion of the cost. The project will cost $86,648. The motion passed 8-0.

Approval was granted for the following community events:

• America Heritage Sertoma's annual Candy Days on Sept. 10 and 11

• The Knights of Columbus San Salvador Archangel Council 282's 40th Annual Fund Drive Sept. 17 and 18

• Kiwanis Club of Palos Heights' annual Peanut Days on Sept. 24 and 25.

• Trinity Christian College's 5K Run/Walk through the Navajo Hills neighborhood on Oct. 2

• Palos Lions Club's Candy Days on Oct. 8 and 9

• Constitution Week Sept. 17 through Sept. 23, as requested by the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution

The Quote: Alderman Jeff Prestinario voicing his support for the change in zoning of the Tiffany Square Shopping Center while encouraging the council to find ways to fill empty storefronts: "I think we need to address these issues," Prestinario said. "Times change and you just can't leave things the way they were in the past."

The Future Meetings: A Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. to hear a presentation from the Lake Katherine Board of Directors.

A public hearing will be held on Sept. 21 at 6:30 p.m. regarding the possible use of tax increment financing and the adoption of the Harlem Redevelopment Project and Plan.

A public hearing will be held on Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. to consider a petition that will allow two drive-thru restaurants at 127th Street and Harlem Avenue. Upon approval, the property will be redeveloped with a new Jewel/Osco store.