Downzoning

Residents discuss downzoning issue
July 1, 2007
by BILL MAYEROFF of The Reporter

In the wake of the demolition of a house at 6232 N. Keating Ave. last week, Sauganash residents met with Alderman Margaret Laurino (39th) Tuesday to discuss downzoning the area to prevent lots from being subdivided.

Two unconnected stretches of Keating, from just south of Devon Avenue to Hiawatha Avenue, currently are zoned RS-3, which requires a minimum lot area of 2,500 square feet. If the area were down-zoned to RS-2, the minimum lot area would be 5,000 square feet, while in areas zoned RS-1 the minimum lot size is 6,250 square feet.

The area of Sauganash east of the section zoned RS-3 is zoned RS-1 both north of Peterson Avenue and south of Peterson to the "V formed by Caldwell Avenue and Rogers Avenue. The area south of Caldwell and Rogers to Bryn Mawr Avenue is zoned RS-2, as is most of the area north of Peterson and east of the railroad right-of-way.

Some Keating residents want the area to be rezoned RS-1, but Laurino said that that classification would be too restrictive. She said that the lots in the area are not large enough to fit the guidelines for RS-1.

"I don't think it would work/' Laurino said. "The best move would be going to an R-2."

Laurino said that at the meeting she handed out petitions for down-zoning the area and that residents have until July 9 to return the petitions. She said she believes that most of the residents agree with her that RS-2 zoning would be best.

Laurino hopes to be able to introduce an ordinance to change the zoning at the July 19 meeting of the City Council. "My concern is developing a consensus within the community," she said. "I do think this is the best way to go."

Permits for construction of two homes on the Keating lot were issued in May and the demolition permit was issued on June 19. The 46-year-old brick ranch house on the 60-by- 110-foot lot was torn down the following day, and the lot has been subdivided to allow two homes to be built.