Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Governance Reform topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Resident urges adaptive-reuse zoning, permitting design professionals on commissions and campaign-cost reforms
Summary
Walter Hainsfurther asked councilors to consider an adaptive-reuse zoning classification, allow architects and designers to serve on land-use commissions, and examine barriers to running for office including campaign costs; he cited Oak Park as an example for adaptive reuse.
Longtime Highland Park resident Walter Hainsfurther used public comment time on July 14 to urge the council to consider three reforms: create an adaptive-reuse zoning classification to allow significant historic or institutional buildings to be converted for new uses; remove an ordinance that prevents design professionals from serving on land-use commissions; and study barriers that make it expensive and difficult for residents to run for elected office.
Hainsfurther said an adaptive-reuse classification could have allowed Lincoln School to be converted to multifamily housing instead of demolition and replacement with single-family houses and argued that retaining existing buildings is more sustainable. He asked the council to allow architects and landscape architects to serve on commissions, noting a new ethics ordinance could manage conflicts of interest. He also said geographic representation on the council is uneven and suggested reforms such as warding or campaign-finance changes because "it is extremely expensive to run for office." Hainsfurther referenced Oak Park's ordinance as an example and urged the council to consider these measures in further study.
The council did not take immediate formal action on Hainsfurther's proposals; they were presented as public comment for council consideration and possible future follow-up.
