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Politics & Government

Plan Commission Approves Rezoning for Oakland Avenue Development

The zoning changes, which would allow the building to exceed 60 feet, must still be approved by the Village Board Monday.

The Mandel Group jumped through another hoop Tuesday in its efforts to advance development plans for the two parking lots near Sendik’s.

The village’s Plan Commission voted unanimously to create a Planned Development District encompassing the development, giving it unique zoning rules to accommodate the project.

The $32 million retail/apartment building would be six stories and 76 feet tall — 16 feet taller than current zoning rules allow. It would also break setback requirements, with the building façade less than 20 feet from the curb as currently mandated in the district. The Village Board will still have to approve the rezoning admendment.

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While some residents in attendence at a public meeting spoke in favor of the development, seven residents voiced concerns focusing primarily on the building’s height and influx of traffic.

Some residents said the height of the building and three-story parking lot (including one underground level) would tarnish the village’s residential feel and neighborhood charm. 

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“I think it changes the complexion of Oakland completely,” said Arleen Michor, who lives just east of the development site. “This is huge. This is going to block out the sun for most of the people east of the building. I won’t see the steeple of the church; I won’t see sky. It’s just going to be a building with balconies.”

Mandel representatives have said at past meetings that the six-story height is necessary to have enough apartments to make the development profitable.

In order to approve the zoning change to the Planned Development District, the commission found that the development met nine requirements that can be found in section 535-22 of the village code.

The development project includes .

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