Developer drops plans for site near Montrose-Cicero

by BRIAN NADIG

A proposal to build a 12-unit residential project on a longtime vacant lot at 4812-18 W. Montrose Ave. has been withdrawn, according to Alderman John Arena’s chief of staff Owen Brugh.

The developer, Noah Properties, reportedly decided not to purchase the property and no longer has a contract to buy the 14,200-square-foot parcel. Over the years there have been development proposals, including a one-story retail center, for the property that never materialized.

The proposal called for two three-story buildings, each with four two-bedroom units and two three-bedroom units. The plan called for 18 parking spaces, some of which would be in a garage.

Brugh said that the developer appeared willing to revise the proposal to address the concerns which residents had raised at a July 9 community meeting. Residents asked that the units be condominiums instead of rental units and that the number of parking spaces be reduced so that there would be room to enclose all of the parking. Several area home owners had expressed concern about ongoing problems with cut-through traffic in the alley behind the parcel.

The parcel is located between a gas station and a 21-unit apartment building which has no parking. Noah had been seeking to rezone the property from B3-1 to less restrictive B2-2.