Rezoning gets torn down
Sarah Zeeck
Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: News
Motions to rezone two properties, one on West Elting and one on North Albert streets, from one-family to two-family zoning, were denied by a 6-2 vote for the former and a 5-3 vote for the latter on Monday evening.
Tom Embry, owner of the property on W. Elting Street, previously asked the council to allow his home to be rezoned so he could have a housemate, claiming that other area residents were breaking this same zoning law. He added, "there's a difference between the houses, say, on Adams Street, Wheeler Street, Murray, Charles … and the difference is my location on Elting Street, I'm surrounded by apartment living and other multi-family homes."
Alderman Richard Vick, who was opposed to the zoning request, said he wanted to reply to Embry's letter. "The big argument seems to be that other properties are breaking the zoning law and it's surrounded by other properties," he said. "I don't think the argument makes a compelling reason for the city to change (the ordinance)."
He added that he would only vote in favor of the rezoning if the "overwhelming majority of owners in the area support the change" or if it were in "a very compelling interest to the city to change zoning."
"We should think very seriously about beginning to pick the plan to pieces," Vick added.
The residence on N. Albert Street, which was also denied rezoning requests, caused some debate between council members. Second Ward alderman Ed Lavin said he supported rezoning of this particular case due to the special circumstances that surround it. "I feel that sometime we have to look at these things that may have fallen through the cracks," he said. "The property is surrounded by the Mosaic … this is kind of like an island sitting out there and I feel we should take some consideration looking into this."
Sixth Ward alderman Tim Lobdell disagreed, saying, "This isn't the same block as the other houses, regardless of the Mosaic home," he said.
Vick added, "I'm really not sure the infrastructure would be able to handle any further rental properties."
Other council business included:
• The resignations of Nathan Lunt, Macomb Police officer; David Billeter, rental housing inspector; and Jack T. Harn Jr., Macomb Planning Commissioner.
• Swearing in of Bill Lipcamon as a new police officer for the MPD.
• Announcement of two projects to repair railroad crossings at W. Jackson and N. Lafayette streets. Traffic will be reduced and/or rerouted over the next couple of weeks when construction begins at the crossings.
Tom Embry, owner of the property on W. Elting Street, previously asked the council to allow his home to be rezoned so he could have a housemate, claiming that other area residents were breaking this same zoning law. He added, "there's a difference between the houses, say, on Adams Street, Wheeler Street, Murray, Charles … and the difference is my location on Elting Street, I'm surrounded by apartment living and other multi-family homes."
Alderman Richard Vick, who was opposed to the zoning request, said he wanted to reply to Embry's letter. "The big argument seems to be that other properties are breaking the zoning law and it's surrounded by other properties," he said. "I don't think the argument makes a compelling reason for the city to change (the ordinance)."
He added that he would only vote in favor of the rezoning if the "overwhelming majority of owners in the area support the change" or if it were in "a very compelling interest to the city to change zoning."
"We should think very seriously about beginning to pick the plan to pieces," Vick added.
The residence on N. Albert Street, which was also denied rezoning requests, caused some debate between council members. Second Ward alderman Ed Lavin said he supported rezoning of this particular case due to the special circumstances that surround it. "I feel that sometime we have to look at these things that may have fallen through the cracks," he said. "The property is surrounded by the Mosaic … this is kind of like an island sitting out there and I feel we should take some consideration looking into this."
Sixth Ward alderman Tim Lobdell disagreed, saying, "This isn't the same block as the other houses, regardless of the Mosaic home," he said.
Vick added, "I'm really not sure the infrastructure would be able to handle any further rental properties."
Other council business included:
• The resignations of Nathan Lunt, Macomb Police officer; David Billeter, rental housing inspector; and Jack T. Harn Jr., Macomb Planning Commissioner.
• Swearing in of Bill Lipcamon as a new police officer for the MPD.
• Announcement of two projects to repair railroad crossings at W. Jackson and N. Lafayette streets. Traffic will be reduced and/or rerouted over the next couple of weeks when construction begins at the crossings.
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