The Neighborhood News Online

Development On Washington and 8th

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Category: Community News

Published on Monday, 07 December 2009 13:49

Written by Dianne Lawrence

Development is moving forward with a proposal to build a four-story mixed use (retail and senior housing) project on the southeast corner of Washington Boulevard and 8th Avenue in Arlington Heights.

On Wednesday evening, November 18, United Neighborhoods Neighborhood Council (UNNC) and stakeholders, includingresidents of Arlington Heights, met with David Pourbaba of 4D Development during the regularly-scheduled UNNC Planning and Zoning Committee meeting chaired by Laura Meyers. Pourbaba and 4D’s consultants and architects presented their current plan for a project with retail stores on the first floor and three floors of affordable senior residential units on three more stories above the retail spaces along

Washington Blvd. at the corner of 8th Ave. This new proposal includes 65 senior units plus subterranean and at-grade parking. To achieve this project, 4D needs to apply to the city for many land use entitlements, including variances, conditional use permits, zoning administrator’s adjustments and site plan review. But the zoning, [Q]CM-1-VL, currently prevents new residential buildings along Washington.

The discussion was lively and, at times, heated. Some participants expressed concerns that the developer is requesting variances and exceptions well above and beyond his allowable density bonuses, which currently allows for an increase in the by-right unit count, of  35 percent, allowing for approximately 50 units (depending on the configuration). Pourbaba was also questioned about why he needed a variance to have four stories rather than three; later research indicated that the height district for this parcel has a limitation of three stories. Concerns were also expressed that the units were very small and some people remain concerned that this project will cause parking issues in the neighborhood.

On the other hand, architect John Arnold, a UNNC Board member who has designed affordable senior housing projects in the past, said that the smaller unit size is typical and that the parking seemed more than sufficient.  Meyers noted that the design of the building seems to be in keeping with guidelines UNNC suggested in its proposed Specific Plan, especially since the open space is contained within the building walls as a central atrium. But she wondered why there was no attempt to provide “transitional height” with a lowered roofline on the rear, 8th Avenue side.

“While the community is in strong favor of new development along Washington Boulevard, we are committed to and in total support of ensuring the adopted community plan and that efforts of the city  and our neighborhood council be respected and adhered to,” said Todd Hunter, who lives on 8th Avenue. “These plans created by responsible community residents in 2004 (UNNC) detail smart, responsible, positive additions to the neighborhood and are a good guide for what development might look like for all our benefit.”

At the meeting’s end, stakeholders voted to establish an Ad Hoc UNNC committee to analyze how this proposed project does and does not meet the various standards in the city’s Citywide General Plan Framework (which establishes goals and guidelines for new projects), the UNNC-proposed Specific Plan for Washington Boulevard and the draft update of the West  Adams-Baldwin Hills-Leimert Park Community Plan. The Ad Hoc Committee may also analyze the impacts the project may have on the adjacent community, and propose some changes.

“The community is eager to have and encourage cohesive development but is also aware that this project will set a precedent and therefore serve as an example for future developments to follow,” Todd Hunter added. The hope is that both community and developer will come to a mutual agreement and set an example for future  development along the Washington Corridor.

Interested stakeholders may contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to be placed on a contact list for continued information and actions.

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