Neighbors oppose Caton Avenue triplex; commission ultimately recommends approval after reconsideration

The Zoning Commission faced a fraught public hearing over a request to add a third unit at 1210 Caton Avenue. Neighbors described persistent parking congestion that they said impedes emergency vehicles on the 27-foot-wide street; multiple residents said the block already contains duplexes and triplexes and that additional units were overwhelming local infrastructure.

Owner Diego Rodriguez argued the change would provide needed middle housing and said he had prepared a site plan showing six on-site parking spaces (the code requires 1.5 spaces per unit, rounded to five). Rodriguez said his lot is approximately 7,500 square feet and argued the unit would help people with modest means and support his retirement plans. "I'm not asking to put a bar or a 24-hour establishment," he told the commission. "I'm simply asking for approval for one more unit."

Opposition from the Highland Park Neighborhood Association was strong. Residents presented repeated anecdotes of ambulances and fire trucks unable to access the block, and one speaker said a neighbor had suffered a stroke while access was impeded. Speakers also challenged the applicant'9s record and intentions as a landlord and questioned whether approved rezonings would encourage further conversions.

Commissioners debated the special B-to-R4 conversion in older parts of the city, which allows duplexes on qualifying lots created under earlier zoning, and whether the applicant'9s lot met criteria for an expanded multi-family use. After an initial motion to deny failed, commissioners later voted to reconsider and, following further discussion, approved the conditional request. The commission emphasized this is a recommendation to city council and urged applicant and neighbors to work on parking protocols and neighborhood communication before council consideration.