Funny how there has been so much conversation about the Elston corridor lately isn't it? With PMD out of the way we could see this entire scar between the N and NW sides heal up pretty quickly over the next cycle or two.
On a side, the CH Robinson HQ is already mostly framed out (one more floor to go I think). Going to make a total transformation of this area.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bcp
All that is shitty - but all that aside...how will a downzoning to a radically low level fix THAT problem? Seem like it is punitive, and also creates serious problems in the future (not to mention a bad precedent)...why not let the market do it's job? Any buyer would discover this as part of due diligence - and if they don't, well they are foolish...and regulators should step up and do their job
|
That's all well and great, but the current zoning allows for surface lots, strip malls, and drive thrus none of which the community or alderman think are appropriate for this site. He was already told no curb cuts would be allowed for this site, but I guess he took that as "we approve 8 story building". A downzoning is the only way to ensure he doesn't build some shitty one story retail building or strip mall (he does have one curb cut already) as of right that we are stuck with for 30 years. We are hoping to avoid the Belmont/Elston area turning into what exists down at Diversey through Fullerton along Elston. We don't need North/Clyborn V 2.0 in our area. If you drive around East Avondale you will see that it is very much densifying and turning into a more uniform neighborhood fabric. That's a process that should continue and we don't want to see great residential density with random patches of big box retail along Elston. The Ace Building will set a nice precedent for larger 4 story mixed use buildings in the area. I think that's what should be lining the arterials around here, not TOD built a mile from a train station or North/Clyborn retail bullshit.