UPTOWN — Wednesday is neighbors' last chance to vote for or against a zoning change that could change the landscape of the heart of Uptown.
At a community meeting last week, representatives from Praedium Developments, owners of the property on the Northeast corner of Broadway and Wilson Avenue, asked for approval of a zoning change that would allow residential units to be built at the property, according to notes provided to Truman Square Neighbors.
The meeting was attended by about 20 Truman Square neighbors; Ald. James Cappleman (46th); Cappleman's Chief of Staff Tressa Feher; Tyler Manic, of Schain Banks law firm; and Peter Madimenos, of MX3 Architects, according to the meeting notes.
The zoning change from B3-2 to B3-5 would affect the two buildings that currently house Family Dollar, Rainbow Shops, City Sports and Wilson Optical. The proposed new building would include 197 residential units and 80 percent of the units will be studios, according to the notes.
There will be no condos or micro-units in the building. The rest of the units will be one- or two-bedroom apartments.
The ground floor will be retail space with a mix of multiple businesses similar in size to the current layout. Retail tenants will not be "a big-box store," instead, developers are seeking a restaurant or sidewalk cafe, according to the notes.
The Transit Oriented Development will have 44 parking spaces, 153 bike parking spaces and 3 car-sharing spaces. The proposal also includes a rooftop deck with seating and a bocce ball court.
Because of the zoning change, the development must make 10 percent of the units available at a discounted rate for those making 60 percent or less of the area's median income. Or developers can pay a fee of $100,000 per unit that will be contributed to the City's Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund.
Truman Square Neighbors can vote for or against the proposal in an online survey until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
The proposal will later go before the 46th Ward Zoning and Development Committee for another vote.
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