Just in from Killian at Yo’s Edgewater journal: After close to two years of study, debate and grassroots referenda the 48th Ward Zoning and Planning Committee adopted a zoning plan for the section of Broadway in Edgewater and the 48th Ward. The plan adopted B-1 zoning for the entire area, designating it as neighborhood retail shopping. It labeled the west side of Broadway as B-1-2 with the exception of the block between Ridge and Hollywood, which was designated B-1-3. On the east side of Broadway the zoning will be B-1-3 with the exception of the block between Ardmore and Thorndale which will be B-1-2.
So what’s it mean? I’ll tell you, it took me awhile to figure it out. Glad to share. Broadway from Foster to Devon is the area of zoning. The main difference between the two zoning categories is the density and height allowed in construction. B-1-3 allows for 6-story heights and B-1-2 allows for 4-story height. Both allow for retail on the 1st floor and residential on the above floors.
The vote concluded that on the east side of Broadway the community will allow for the higher buildings (B-1-3) and on the west side, the lower building heights (B-1-2). The lots on the east side of Broadway are deeper, and local residents felt that this was appropriate.
However, just because it’s a B-1-3 doesn’t mean a development has to use this zoning code for height. Many developers use it to combine lower heights with greater density, so it’s not always about height. This and many other Edgewater issues as well as developers presenting their new projects, can be seen at the Edgewater Beach Neighbors Association (EBNA) Meetings every 4th Tuesday of the month.