Planning commission recommends denial of 132nd Court rezoning, directs variance process

On May 26, 2026, the Rosemont Planning Commission voted to recommend the City Council deny an application by Zamira Locafov to rezone multiple parcels on 132nd Court from R1 (low-density residential) to R2 (low- to medium-density residential). The commission instead directed staff to work with the applicant to file a variance to increase the allowable accessory dwelling unit (ADU) size, with the variance hearing set for June 23.

Planner Anthony told the commission the neighborhood was rezoned to R1 when city sewer and water services were extended, despite two twin homes and one later-converted duplex already existing on the lots. "The applicant did purchase the property. It was marketed as a legal duplex with two active rental licenses. That was not true," Anthony said, noting the conversion had not been permitted and the existing twin homes are legally nonconforming.

Staff recommended rezoning to remove the nonconforming status, but outlined alternatives. City code allows internal accessory dwelling units up to 800 square feet; staff said a variance could be sought to increase that limit to roughly 1,000 square feet if the commission finds the required criteria are met. Anthony said staff preferred rezoning as the cleaner, comprehensive fix but acknowledged a variance would be a narrower path that avoids changing zoning across the whole cul-de-sac.

Commissioners questioned whether a variance would create precedent for other illegally converted units and whether the "unique circumstances" finding could be made when the conversion was carried out by a prior owner. Commissioners also weighed neighborhood expectations—several members noted multiple buyers had purchased homes in recent years expecting R1 zoning—against the presence of older twin homes built in the 1960s that are nonconforming.

A motion to recommend denial of the rezoning was moved by Commissioner Reed and seconded by Commissioner Rivera; the recommendation passed, with Commissioner Ellis recorded in opposition. After the vote, the commission directed staff "to work with the applicant to submit a variance application and bring that forth" to the commission at its June 23 meeting. Staff confirmed the June 23 variance hearing would be a public hearing, that the planning commission decision on the variance would be final subject to a 10-day appeal period, and that the rezoning denial will be forwarded to City Council for its June 16 meeting.

Next steps: staff will prepare a variance application seeking an increase in ADU size from the 800-square-foot limit to approximately 1,000 square feet and present it at the June 23 public hearing. The rezoning denial will appear on the City Council agenda on June 16.