It’s back to the drawing board for proposed zoning changes in River Forest after the village board surprised many by unanimously voting June 17 to accept the recommendation of the zoning board of appeals and deny the proposed changes.
The action by officials not only supported the zoning board’s recommendation, but also reflected the opinions of dozens of residents who attended zoning board meetings in January, March and April. More than 150 residents attended the April meeting in person or by video conferencing. Although some supported the changes, the majority of those attending the meetings were opposed, including five who spoke June 17.
The proposed changes were recommended by the economic development commission and proposed by Houseal Lavigne Associates, the village’s planning consultant, following a review of the village’s zoning code designed to evaluate the current zoning restrictions and make recommendations for modernizing the zoning code. The proposed changes were intended to enhance the village’s efforts to attract developers by changing zoning requirements in the village’s C1 (North Avenue), C2 (Madison Street), C3 (Central Commercial) and ORIC (Office, Research, Institutional and Commercial) districts. Officials expressed hope that the proposed changes, had they been implemented, would have jump-started economic development on vacant parcels in the village.
In a memo to officials, village Administrator Matt Walsh said the proposed changes included increasing maximum building height, increasing residential density and reducing off-street parking requirements.
In expressing their support for accepting the zoning board’s recommendations, officials explained their purpose was more to initiate a discussion than to make wholesale changes.
“The initial charge was to explore and we did that,” village President Cathy Adduci said.
“Our intent was to have a discussion,” trustee Rescipio Vazquez said. “We’re trying to raise funding without taxing residents.”
“This was designed to explore and discuss,” trustee Bob O’Connell added. “We’ve got more work to do. We’ll continue to move forward.”
The vote not only surprised many of the residents attending the June 17 meeting, but also trustee Katie Brennan.
“I’ve got whiplash right now,” she said, expressing surprise at the comments made by her fellow trustees.
Adduci and others expressed gratitude to the residents who attended the zoning board meetings to express their opinions as well as the zoning board members.
“I think everybody did a very good job,” she said. “I think the zoning board members did a very thorough job of listening.”
Vazquez also thanked residents, adding, “We’re here to try to hear from everybody.”
“We’re here to serve the community,” trustee Ken Johnson said. “Our duty is to listen to the community. I appreciate your participating.”
“I’m overwhelmingly impressed by the amount of time and effort put in by our residents, especially those on the south end,” Brennan said.
“The process worked,” trustee Lisa Gillis said. “Now we can move forward with economic development using the zoning regulations we have.”
“I think we could have done more or better work,” trustee Erika Bachner said.
Bachner and Brennan both suggested the board consider looking for another planning consultant.
“What’s next?” Brennan asked.
“We’ll bring it back to the board and decide what we want to do,” Adduci responded.