They’re happier. But they’re not happy.
Neighbors of a proposed mixed use development at Madison Street and Grove Avenue turned out last week as the Plan Commission heard a revised proposal from developer Alex Troyanovsky for a 36-unit development, down from 39 units.
While neighbors, organized as Neighbors for Madison Renewal, praised the developer for aspects of the plan, they expressed concern that a requested variance would allow four more units than current village code calls for.
Angela Larson of 600 S. Carpenter Ave., a member of NMR, said the group is primarily concerned with the density of the proposed development, especially in the context of the current possibilities for further development on Madison. She said there will likely be developments in the coming years at the northeast corner of Oak Park and Madison, which is owned by the village, and on both sides of Madison between Carpenter and Oak Park.
The prospect of so much future development, she said, makes the issue of density especially urgent with the current proposal. Troyanovsky’s plan calls for 36 residential units, four more than village R-7 zoning code permits. If the neighbors accept the exception to the code on this project, it would set a bad precedent, Larson said. “If we give in,” she said, “extra units on all these properties would add up.”
The proposal continues to wend its way through various village commissions before eventually going to the village board for a vote. The Plan Commission held its public hearing to discuss the proposed development last Thursday, but did not reach a conclusion on whether it would support the application in its recommendation to the Oak Park village board. The commission meets next on Oct. 18, and will discuss the proposed development at that time.
Before then, the application will be examined by two other village commissions, the Traffic Commission and the Community Design commission, both of which meet Oct. 8, said Village Planner Craig Failor.
Regardless of the Plan Commission’s decision on Oct. 18, the village board will consider the issue this winter.
Several neighbors spoke out against the current proposal during Thursday’s public hearing, and plan to continue to make their voices heard.
Along with density comes the issue of traffic. Michael Awe of 517 S. Grove Ave., another NMR member, said “there’s already enough high-speed traffic that cuts down Grove,” and the addition of so many new units will compound that problem.
In addition to density, some neighbors are worried about contamination to the soil at the site of the proposed development. The site was formerly an unpaved parking lot and a print shop, both of which could have left harmful chemicals in the soil, opponents said. Ljubomir Perkovic of 612 S. Grove Ave., also of NMR, said chemicals in the soil could include lead, barium, and benzene. The planned development public hearing application requires information on hazardous pollution on the site.
“We know that the soil was never tested when the print shop was demolished two years ago,” Perkovic said. “All we’re asking is that they check that.”
Despite their calls for changes to the existing plan, all three neighbors found things to like in Troyanovsky’s proposal.
Larson said her neighborhood is excited about the development and revitalization of Madison. “We’re looking forward to having the first new project on Madison in our neighborhood,” she said. “The developer has worked hard and with the neighborhood to develop something that we hope will be that catalyst project.”
Awe and Perkovic were both enthusiastic about mixed-use development on Madison. “It will be nice not to have an empty lot at the end of our street,” Awe said, “and it would be good to have businesses there to generate activity.”