Park Ridge city leaders delayed a rezoning vote to its February City Council meeting, where the issue is expected to be part of a broader conversation related to a proposed multi-family development on Prairie Avenue.
At a City Council meeting Jan. 5, council members could have voted to simply rezone land parcels of the development —which are currently parking lots — from single family to multi-family. It would have allowed a developer to build apartments or condominiums on the lots.
However, a developer is expected to pitch plans for the property, which would first be considered by the Planning and Zoning Commission before the City Council gives final consideration, so the elected leaders decided to wait and consider everything together.
Members of the public had urged the council to do this.
Drew Awsumb, the city’s community development director, pointed out to the council that the city’s plan already anticipates the area being developed into multi-family units. Awsumb said the developer hopes to have the housing plan considered by Planning and Zoning by late January.
Most from the public who spoke about the project during the public comment portion of the meeting didn’t object to multi-family units in theory. But, they seemed to want to see the development proposal first, expressing concerns over parking and whether the units would be for rent or sold as condos.
“This seems a little bit of a cart before the horse scenario,” said Alderman John Moran.
Resident Tony Harrington agreed. He said many of his neighbors attended related Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and they would like to have some say in front of the City Council.
“I think many of the attendees from the Planning and Zoning meetings may want to provide input,” he said.
The city’s parking study results are supposed to be available sometime in February, though it’s not clear if they will be ready by the Feb. 17 council meeting. Though meetings are usually held on Monday, this one would be on a Tuesday due to the Presidents Day holiday. Some residents said they would be interested to see the results of the study and recommendations before casting opinions on the project because parking is already an issue.
“The parking is very, very tight,” said Michael Harczak.
He pointed out that the nearby AT&T lot is already mostly filled all day and adding family homes to the area would create congestion.
“All the sites are loaded with cars,” he said. “There’s going to be an overflow. This project is going to be great if the density comes down.”
All the City Council members seemed to agree with residents that whatever the issues, city leaders should wait and hear from residents, and see the proposals and allow the developers to address some of the concerns.
“I think the best thing … is to postpone this until the Feb. 17 meeting,” said Alderperson Joseph Steinfels. He said he hoped the parking study results would be in by then.
Moran said there was no definitive date for receiving the parking study results, offering the reminder that the board was only told it would be ready in February.
“That will improve the chances we will have the data,” he said, agreeing with Steinfels to postpone further consideration until that February meeting.
Jesse Wright is a freelancer.
