AVONDALE — As the debate over Avondale's future heats up, Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa (35th) will host a community meeting to get feedback on a controversial rezoning measure that he proposed to the City Council last week.
The measure, first proposed by a coalition of business owners this summer, calls for rezoning all of Milwaukee Avenue from Central Park to Kimball avenues to a low-density zoning designation.
If approved, the measure would force new business owners and developers to come to the alderman to get approval for new projects that don't fit within zoning parameters, essentially creating another hurdle for developers who want to invest in the stretch.
Neighbors are mixed on the measure.
Some are criticizing the strategy for being a blunt instrument that not only promotes stagnation, but also gives already-powerful aldermen even more control over what gets built in their wards. Others argue it's a proactive measure that fosters more thoughtful conversations around new development.
The community meeting is set for 6:30-7:30 p.m. Oct. 30 at Hairpin Arts Center, 2810 N. Milwaukee Ave.
In a flyer, the alderman said a portion of the meeting will be dedicated to a Q&A session.
Rosa has been known to use the tool to control development throughout his ward.
Earlier this year, the alderman used a zoning change to block the redevelopment of the former Pierre's Bakery. Weeks earlier, he used a change in zoning to gain more control over the redevelopment of the former Sunrise Market site at 2700 N. Milwaukee Ave.
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Avondale Rezoning Community Meeting by Mina Bloom on Scribd
