Mayfair Avenue residents are mobilizing against a proposed rezoning on their street.
About 30 neighbours gathered last week in front of 46493 Mayfair Ave. to find ways to encourage city council to turn down a rezoning application for the property that would allow for infill on a small lot.
The rezoning was scheduled for Tuesday night at city hall. The house at one time was the home of an extreme hoarder.
A residents’ petition was to encourage city council to say no to the proposed zoning changes.
“They currently have 50 signatures,” Wayne Oberst said. He is one of the Mayfair residents and the petition garnered signatures from people on Mayfair, Hazel (north), Riverside (block directly behind Mayfair, and Portage (park block).
Neighbours are concerned that the consequences of the rezoning would be “severe,” Oberst added. They include the changing visuals or “cosmetic” elements that would “decrease the charm and character” of their street, he said.
City documents outline a plan by the applicant to rezone the lot from R1-A (One Family Residential) Zone to an R1-D (Infill Small Lot One Family Residential) Zone to facilitate future subdivision.
“This would allow the owner to place two single-family structures with as many as three levels where there is now only one,” said Oberst.
Some might argue that “it is just one home,” but he said approval of the rezoning on a tiny street like Mayfair would set precedent for “future rezoning of this street to accommodate similar developments.
“This would continue to lessen the desirability of the street for those looking for a traditional home and eventually leave the remaining owners at the mercy of the developers when it comes time for them to move on.”
He said about 30 people attended the meeting and the consensus was that residents are “very concerned” about the future of their street.
“Many owners have lived on the street for more than 5 years with some residing on Mayfair in excess of 10, 20, 30 and 40 years.
“These people are concerned that the largest investment of their lives could be in jeopardy if this rezoning is allowed to take place,” said Oberst.
Most said they’d rather the zoning remained the same and either the structure be renovated or replaced with a new home that is fitting with the curb appeal of this heritage street.
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
twitter.com/chwkjourno