Lyons board ‘zoned in’
Village makes changes to solve zoning issues
By Steve Metsch
The Lyons Village Board was “zoned in” at its latest meeting, fixing a number of zoning issue that had been problematic in recent years.
The board rezoned properties at 4125, 4133, 4137, 4141 and 4143 Joliet Avenue. That’s the block on the east side of Joliet, north of White Avenue.
“Of those five properties, four of them are single-family residential houses,” Mayor Christopher Getty said. “One, 4125, is a vacant lot, a vacant lot we desire to have a single-family house built on.”
The Zoning Board of Appeals, at its latest meeting, unanimously voted to recommend rezoning the properties
“We feel this will be a positive to the village and also help these homeowners with their (property) taxes,” Getty said.
“We did have an individual who was complaining of a higher tax bill because they were in B-2 service district zoning. For the future, they’ll be in a single-family zoning district,: Getty said.
Four houses in the 4100 block fo Joliet Avenue may have lower property taxes thanks to the land being rezoned residential by the Lyons Village Board. Photo by Steve Metsch.
The board also approved a text amendment that tweaked will make hotels and motels defined as a “special use,” eliminating the need to go before the zoning board of appeals for any issues.
Another text amendment that was approved will allow offices as a permitted use in the B-1 and B-2 zoning districts in the village.
“Previously, there were several occasions where somebody wanted to move a real estate office, a union office, an insurance office, a property management office. … Certain individuals found it a barrier to opening a business in the village of Lyons, even though it was ultimately approved by the zoning board and the village board,” Getty said.
“So, if you want to open an office you can do that in a retail district,” Getty said. “Where, before, that was not allowed. You had to get a special use (permit) from the zoning board and get approval from the village board.
“This means any type of office space can be opened up on Ogden Avenue, Harlem Avenue, without going before the zoning board,” Getty said.
The next village board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 4.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
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