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Family matters at Macomb City Council
Courtney Reed
Issue date: 7/5/07 Section: News
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The council voted unanimously to approve the first reading of the new definition. The proposed change must be approved again by the council at a second reading at its next meeting before it can take effect.
The reason for the new definition is to prevent landlords from renting to large groups of unrelated people, such as students, in parts of Macomb that are zoned for single-family residences.
The issue has attracted considerable attention in recent months because of allegations that some landlords are flaunting the law by renting homes to students in neighborhoods that have traditionally been inhabited by local families.
One neighborhood of concern is along Stadium Drive (on the northwest side of Western Illinois University), where some homeowners have objected to the increasing number of rentals, primarily to students, which bring increased noise and parking problems.
A local group, HANDS (Homeowners and Neighborhood Development Strategies), has sought to tighten the restrictions. HANDS representative Sally Egler told the council that her organization supported the proposed clarifying language, which says that not more than two unrelated persons can live in the same house unless they meet certain legal exceptions (i.e., adopted children, legal guardianship).
"We endorse the clarified definition of family," Egler said. "We believe it is important that, in either R-1 or R-2 zoning (single family zoning), one must live either as a family or as no more than two unrelated individuals, but not any combination of the two."
In other action, the council:
* Unanimously approved the first reading of a special use permit to allow Dr. Saleem Mahmood to build Macomb's first radiation therapy clinic for cancer patients. Currently, Macomb residents must travel to Galesburg, Quincy or Burlington, Iowa, for such treatments.
* Unanimously approved a development loan of $20,000 to Anthony Calhoun for remodeling of the Bootlegger Tavern in downtown Macomb. Calhoun, owner of the Ritz, recently purchased the defunct Bootlegger. He plans $200,000 in renovations to the property.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
bee
posted 7/05/07 @ 10:56 PM EST
One thing hasn't changed since I graduated wiu in 2002. Macomb is still abundantly full of cunts. Stop crying about the students, without them you'd still be colchester, and without a precious walmart. (Continued…)
AngelD
posted 7/06/07 @ 4:20 AM EST
Obviously since you graduated in 2002 you haven't grown up any either. Your use of obscenities to refer to hard working people that have the right to live in areas designated for single families in peace and raise their children without being exposed to horrible influences is sickening. (Continued…)
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