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Highland Park council directs ordinance drafting for proposed six‑story building at 734 Central Ave.; 6–1 vote
Summary
The City Council voted 6–1 to direct staff to draft an ordinance approving preliminary plan development for a six‑story residential building at 734 Central Avenue, with the applicant returning with final plans within six months. Council discussion focused on height, rooftop access, streetscape public benefits and an inclusionary housing unit.
The Highland Park City Council on May 12 directed staff to prepare an ordinance approving the preliminary plan development for a six‑story residential project at 734 Central Avenue, voting 6–1 after extended questions about height, rooftop access and streetscape improvements.
The project developer won council direction to move forward after presenting four elevations and traffic, landscape and inclusionary‑housing details; council set a six‑month deadline for submission of final plans. The council also discussed a $15,000 public‑benefit offer from the applicant and asked staff to consider matching the streetscape design used at the nearby McGovern House as a public‑benefit credit.
Why this matters: The proposal would add multifamily housing to the Central Business District and requires zoning relief because the lot is undersized for the district’s B4‑5 standards. Council debate weighed neighborhood scale and sight‑line safety against downtown density and transit‑oriented development goals.
Key fa…
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