La Grange has a new Comprehensive Plan after the village’s Board of Trustees approved the long-debated document late last month.
Officials reached consensus after much discussion and public comment, including one sticking point about allowing three and four flat units in certain residential zones, classified R-6, which drew opposition from those concerned about density in La Grange’s East Side neighborhood.
Many of the residents of the area have made it clear in previous meetings that they are not happy about the prospect of their neighborhood changing into something they don’t recognize.
Current R-6 zoning allows only single family and duplex homes, although there are some three flat, non-conforming structures in the historic East Side Community.
While there is R-6 zoning in other parts of La Grange, 62% of it is in the East Side district, while similarly zoned areas are scattered in areas of the village already loaded with apartment and condo buildings.
During a November community meeting at the 2nd Baptist Church of La Grange, residents voted to urge village officials to not allow any three and four flats in R-6, but grandfather in the three flats already there.
“Certainly we have a humanitarian feeling and we don’t want to evict, or have someone evicted from that process,” community activist Bessie Emerson Boyd told the board in discussion leading up to the Comprehensive Plan’s approval.
Resident John Pluto told board members that perhaps elements of the new plan didn’t have to change from the old guidance.
“I think it should be left just like it is. I don’t think it’s hurting anybody and I don’t think it’s going to make any difference,” he said.
A larger issue, officials said, is preserving and providing new space for affordable housing in La Grange.
“My fear was that we would build four-flats or townhomes over there and it would not be affordable housing,” Trustee Glenn Thompson said. “It would be builders buying up lots and buying up houses and it wouldn’t be affordable housing.”
Trustee Beth Augustine was also concerned about housing costs and called for “a very serious discussion about a task force for affordable housing that can lead to a commission.”
Among the affordable housing proponents was Catherine Thesen, who with her husband owns one of the non-conforming three flats on the east side, units that they rent out.
“I don’t want anybody to think it’s a greedy, money grab here, we’re trying to keep it affordable for everybody,” she said. “We appreciate that you want to keep our tenants in. They’ve been long-term residents with us, too, they’ve been with us 7 years.”
Peg Moster, of the La Grange League of Women Voters, said increased housing costs affect everyone.
“Keep in mind that prices have gone up, and it’s become very unaffordable for people to live in La Grange,” she said, “particularly for those who want to downsize or are elderly and cannot manage their homes. A whole lot of people really can’t afford what we used to call beginner homes.”
While moving away from local zoning favoring single family residences toward less restrictive zoning that would allow more multi-family residences would, in theory, offer lower priced rentals and homes for sale, residents such as Regina McClinton are unconvinced. The East Side resident spoke out to officials about density concerns under possible new zoning rules allowing larger apartment buildings.
“A lot of people moved to La Grange because of the character,” she said. “It has a character that represents family, good schools and a good community to live in. I can understand people wanting to move here, but you get so many moving in that you change the character of the village.”
While the new Comprehensive Plan was finalized and adopted Nov. 25, La Grange officials, including Village President Mark Kuchler, have repeatedly stressed that it remains just a plan. Any actual zoning changes would have to go before the Plan Commission and ultimately be approved by the Village Board.
The next La Grange Village Board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at the La Grange Village Hall, 53 N. La Grange Rd.
Hank Beckman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
