Fight for the border
It’s industry vs. residential on
By
KATHARINE GRAYSON, Staff Writer
11/23/05
In recent years, luxury
condominiums and single-family homes that have sprung up in
To combat the housing
boom’s encroachment on its borders, the Industrial Council of Nearwest
Chicago—which represents businesses in the Kinzie Corridor—last year suggested
taking advantage of the city’s ongoing zoning re-map to propose a commercial
"buffer" along Grand Avenue, from Ashland to Western.
After conducting a
three-month study, the Industrial Council recommended to Alderman Billy Ocasio last year that the south side of Grand be zoned C-3.
That designation would mean no new residential units could be built on that
side of Grand, but existing units would be grandfathered in. Businesses,
industrial operations, offices, and a smattering of other uses, ranging from
recreation facilities to parks, would be allowed.
The north side,
according to the recommendations, would be zoned B-2, which would allow for
residential and commercial development, with a height limit for new
construction of 38 feet.
At a meeting of the
Chicago Grand Neighbors Association at the Union League Boys and Girls Club
last Thursday, Steve DeBretto, outreach coordinator for the Industrial Council,
admitted to a skeptical crowd of about 20 that protecting manufacturers was his
organization’s top concern.
"We took the
opportunity to try and get our foot in the door," he said. "We’re not
advocating a return to industrial [use on the south side of Grand]. We’re
looking to allow Grand to thrive while not threatening industry."
Many neighbors at the
meeting, however, said they see further residential growth on the street as
only helping to escalate their already rapidly climbing property values.
Further, some said, more new neighbors could lead to more retail and
restaurants on Grand west of
"If there’s
pressure to build housing in that area, why wouldn’t we want it?" asked
neighbor Robert Dixon. "Are there jobs being provided? If not, wouldn’t it
be in our best interest to see more residential density? We’d get what we want—
places to walk to and shop."
Others said that if
would-be residents were well aware of their future manufacturing neighbors, the
Industrial Council wouldn’t be quite so worried about being pushed out. In
addition, some noted that the Industrial Council should be offering neighbors
some trade-offs, such as helping out with some beautification projects in the
heavily-trafficked corridor.
"I’d like [Grand]
to be a neighborhood, rather than just a busy commercial [street]," said
Janine Contursi, who lives near the industrial
corridor. "As long as they know what they’re getting into, why not?"
DeBretto responded that,
when moving in, some residents "look around and think, one day, this will
all be different."
In addition, other
neighbors suggested that residents in the area should have more control over
how Grand is ultimately zoned.
"They’re stacking
the deck against us," said resident Sonny LaSalvia.
"Wouldn’t be nice if there were nice restaurants, condos? This [proposal] stagnates property values."
Although the Industrial
Council wrapped up its study roughly a year ago now, it has been waiting for
months to get a response from 26th Ward Alderman Billy Ocasio,
DeBretto said. As the zoning re-map proceeds, DeBretto added,
On Monday, Ocasio said he’s waiting for the city’s Department of
Planning and Development to weigh in on the council’s proposal before making a
final decision. However, he said, as of now, he’s inclined to support the
council’s suggested C-3 zoning for the south side of Grand.
"There’s been some
opposition to the south side," Ocasio said.
"But I think that’s the only way to protect the industrial corridor."
Ocasio, however, called the
north side "a different story."
"That still needs
work done on it," he said.