Garden Room Parking Lot Proposal Defeated

Following the village Plan Commission's decision in October, the Village Board voted unanimously to deny a rezoning petition which would have allowed the East Capitol Drive business to raze a home for a parking lot.

Citing a consensus to keep the residential neighborhoods intact, the Village Board on Monday unanimously denied the Garden Room's proposal to have a house rezoned — which would have paved the way for it to be demolished in favor of a customer parking lot. "I think the board recognizes the importance of maintaining a balance between the business districts and the residential areas, and that decisions can't be made for the benefit of one," said Sue Witas, a North Frederick Avenue resident who largely organized a petition drive opposing the rezoning.  About 50 residents turned out Monday and more than a dozen spoke, most against the project, but some in support of a rezoning petition filed by Garden Room owner Deb Kern.  The petition would …

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Shorewood Snapshot: Garden Room Rezoning Petition Vote; School Board Candidate Interviews

A look at this week's local events and news.

Here's a look at what's coming up this week in Shorewood. If we're missing something, please add it to the calendar. Village rules on Garden Room zoning petition — Shorewood's Village Board is slated to vote on a petition filed by Garden Room owner Deb Kern to have the home at 3940 N. Frederick Ave. rezoned.  If the petition were granted, Kern would have the house razed to make way for an environmentally friendly parking lot for her customers. Find the full agenda here.  The village's Plan Commission voted against granting the petition.  The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be held in the Village Center, 3920 N. Murray Ave. (lower level of the Shorewood Public Library).  School Board candidate interviews — Nine candidates will …

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Adam W. McCoy

8:45 am on Monday, December 17, 2012

You're right. I made the corrections.   more ›

Parking in Shorewood: Changes Near Garden Room Prompt Broader Local Discussion

A proposal to raze a home for parking has become a contentious one, but recent developments in the saga have elevated the a broader discussion to the issue of parking in Shorewood.

Temporary parking changes near the Garden Room — aimed at quelling parking issues before the Village Board votes on a proposal to raze a house for a parking lot — have struck a chord with residents and Patch readers.  In a village that brands itself as a "walkable community" and encourages patrons to walk to local businesses, should parking for local shops be such a priority? Or, with all the growth in the business district, should the village be adding parking to meet the new demand?  "I'm glad that the village has finally realized how stupid the 'walking community' idea really is," commenter CowDung said. "If we want to bring people in to Shorewood to support our businesses, we need to realize that almost all of them will be driving a …

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22 Temporary Parking Spaces Created Near Garden Room

Before the dispute over a proposal to raze a Shorewood house to construct a customer parking lot comes to the Village Board, officials put in place some temporary fixes to alleviate parking issues.

Before the Village Board settles the dispute over a proposal to raze a Shorewood home to make a customer parking lot in two weeks, it approved 22 temporary spaces in hopes of alleviating any parking woes in the area. The new provisional parking options include: An ordinance on the books requires the Atwater lot to change to a permit-only lot after 8 p.m., but officials said they plan to examine if extending that an hour or two would be beneficial. Parking on Frederick Avenue would remain two-hour. Officials said the swapping of parking to the other side of the street could cause issues for residents backing out of their driveways.  "This idea sounds like it has been floated in the past and there was some concern then, and there still is, …

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Cricket

10:57 pm on Tuesday, December 18, 2012

CowDung - I was past there on foot today - wide open. I'm not surprised though if it is fuller from time to time, especially around the holidays. I also have not been the only one that has pointed out the availability of spaces. Seems like a mute point now though, doesn't it. Shot down like it should have been.   more ›

Come for the Tea, Stay for the Art At Anaba

Shorewood's Anaba Tea Room offers a low-key hangout with high culture art, along with unique food menu and a wide range of tea.

The Anaba Tearoom on Capitol Drive in Shorewood offers a low-key hangout with high culture art. The locally-owned business provides a unique food menu and a wide range of tea. Anaba is located in the basement of the Garden Room shop, just east of the intersection of Oakland Ave. and Capitol Drive.

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Greg

7:57 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2012

How's the parking?   more ›

Garden Room Rezoning Proposal for Parking Lot Hits Speed Bump

The village's Plan Commission unanimously voted against a rezoning petition which would allow the East Capitol Drive business to raze a home for a parking lot. However, the Village Board will still consider the matter.

Amid strong community opposition to a business owner's request to raze a Shorewood home for a parking lot, the village's Plan Commission voted unanimously against the proposal Tuesday night. About 60 residents turned out and about a dozen spoke against a rezoning petition filed by Garden Room owner Deb Kern. Despite the vote, the matter will still go before the Village Board for consideration. The petition would have made way for Kern to have the home at 3940 N. Frederick Ave., kitty corner from her business, leveled in favor of a nine-stall, environmentally friendly parking lot with permeable pavement and a rain garden. Kern said she needed the additional parking to accommodate her growing customer base, while area residents said the …

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CowDung

9:50 am on Thursday, October 25, 2012

Thanks for the clarification on the 'crime' issue. Not quite sure how the cat litter thing fits ties into the parking lot, but those do seem like legitimate concerns.   more ›

Shorewood Snapshot: Trick-or-Treat on Sunday; Village Considers Rezoning Proposal

A look at this week's local events and news.

Here's a look at what's coming up this week in Shorewood. If we're missing something, please add it to the calendar. Trick-or-treat — Goblins and ghouls, princesses, fairies and superheroes will stroll the streets of Shorewood on Sunday, looking for sweet treats during the annual Halloween trick-or-treat. Trick-or-treating will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. Village discusses rezoning proposal — A controversial proposal to have a home rezoned and then razed to make way for an green parking lot will be considered by the village's Plan Commission on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in the Village Center, lower level of the library, 3920 N. Murray Ave. Find the agenda here. School Board — The hiring process for a new development and marketing director, a …

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Contentious Rezoning Proposal for Garden Room Parking Comes to A Head Tuesday

Officials with the village's Plan Commission will consider a proposal to rezone a Shorewood home to allow it to be razed for a parking lot.

Nearly two months after controversy erupted over a proposal to raze a Shorewood home to make way for a customer parking lot for Garden Room, the issue will come before village officials for consideration Tuesday night.  Garden Room owner Deb Kern has purchased the house at 3940 N. Frederick Ave. and will ask the village's Plan Commission during a meeting 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday to approve her rezoning petition. If the rezone request is granted, she will demolish the home and construct a nine-stall, environmentally-friendly parking lot with permeable pavement and a rain garden. Kern has said she needs the additional parking to accommodate her increased customer base. And, with most of her customers coming from outside of the village, parking …

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Join the Discussion: Garden Room Owner Looks for Support before Village Considers Rezone Proposal

The village won't consider a proposal to have a Shorewood house rezoned — to make way for it to be razed and a parking lot constructed — until late October. Meanwhile, residents who oppose the project say a petition campaign continues.