Local resident decries multi-unit dwellings in Bridgeport area
By Dolly Duplantier
Anna Stork has been a Bridgeport resident for more than 30 years. She currently lives in a single family, bi-level house. For most of her life, the houses near hers were similar, with a scattering of older two-flats.
Over the past few years, however, her neighborhood has changed, leaving Stork disappointed that some single-family houses are being torn down and replaced with multi-unit developments. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a nearby trucking company and box manufacturer closed down; a number of multi-level three-unit buildings went up on the site.
“At the corner of 37th Street and Normal Avenue, there are a couple of single-family homes, but mainly three-flats,” said Stork. “Now the area is evenly divided between three-flats and single family homes.”
Stork is most concerned about a three-story, three-unit condo building erected about two years ago on land that previously held a single-family house. “It’s much taller and out of character for the area because of its height,” said Stork.
In response to an article in the February issue of the Gazette about the race for 11th Ward Alderman, Stork noted incumbent James Balcer’s statement that the balance of the ward should “lean towards single-family houses.”
Development near her, she believes is “contrary to what the Alderman said in the article,” said Stork. “The original owners were longtime residents of the neighborhood. They sold [their property] to a neighbor, and the neighbor tore it down and put up the three-flat. The reality is you’re not keeping single family homes.”
Balcer disagreed, adding people need to look at the big picture. “If you look up and down the block and throughout the whole community, you see single-family homes, bungalows, etc.,” he said. “It’s a balance that you try to keep in the community. We have a big community with a lot of people. Younger people have a harder time buying homes. You need some lofts, etc.”
Balcer said that, when looking at land for possible development, he considers the practicality of single-family dwellings and, if possible, he opts for them. Whether the dwellings are expensive luxury houses or bungalows, Balcer insists the option should always be there for the buyer to choose.
He also believes land not conducive to single-family houses, such as main thoroughfares like Halsted and 31st Streets, are better suited for larger developments. “You can’t put single family homes everywhere,” he said.
Concerning the three-story, three-unit development referred to by Stork, Balcer said the land is zoned R4, which allows for multi-unit developments. “We went back in the zoning records to 2004, and there were no requests for a zoning change,” he explained. “If they [developers] don’t need a zoning change, they can build without notifying the residents.”
According to Balcer, if developers request a zoning change, they must notify nearby residents. “If [residents] have a concern about the zoning change, then they can come to City Hall and voice their opinion there,” he said. “If the land is zoned already, there’s really nothing you can do.”
Nevertheless, Balcer insisted constituents should contact him if they have a problem. “If they have a complaint, call me,” he said. “I’m willing to listen to people.”
Stork seems unconvinced of Balcer’s accessibility and is concerned because “Other than CAPS meetings, the 11th Ward doesn’t have meetings with the Alderman,” she noted.
Balcer admitted to not holding regularly scheduled meetings, but said he convenes meetings regarding development in the area. He encourages ward residents to attend monthly CAPS meetings to find out what is going on in the community. He also said he attends many civic organization and club meetings.
“I come from five generations in this community,” he said. “I’m concerned about the community and its residents. I will always side with the community. The big picture is you can’t please everyone. If you’re concerned about something, call the ward office. I try to meet [people] halfway.”
