ZBA delays hearing on residences on Elston

by BRIAN NADIG

The Zoning Board of Appeals at its April 27 meeting delayed a hearing on a proposal to build two three-story residential buildings at 6109-15 N. Elston Ave.

Plans call for the demolition of two 1-story commercial buildings on the 12,000-square-foot parcel. One of the site’s recent tenants included a plumbing business, and some residents had complained about the storage of equipment on the property.

Each of the proposed buildings would have six residential units and the zoning code requires at least one parking space per unit.

The site’s B3-2 zoning permits up to 12 units on the parcel, but a special use from the zoning code is required to allow residential use on the ground floor in a business district. Several all-residential buildings are located on Elston to the south of the site.

The hearing was rescheduled to the board’s meeting at 2 p.m. Friday, May 18, in the Council Chamber at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., but it could be postponed again as Alderman Margaret Laurino (39th) plans to discuss the project with area residents.

The board also continued until May 18 a hearing on a proposed fast-food restaurant with a drive-through facility at 8345 W. Irving Park Road. Starbucks Coffee has expressed interest in the site.

Meanwhile, the board approved a special use to establish a new one-story retail building with a one-lane car wash to serve an existing gas station at 5147-49 N. Kimball Ave./3341-57 W. Foster Ave.