RTA begins work on new zoning projects to encourage transit-friendly policies
July 14, 2022
July 14, 2022
Updates to a community’s zoning code can encourage new transit-oriented development. So far in 2022, the RTA has begun work on several new zoning projects in Berwyn, Hanover Park, Maywood, Riverside, and Cicero to ensure those communities have zoning regulations that align with local priorities and plans.
Each of these projects is supported by the RTA Community Planning program, which helps communities address planning needs at the intersection of planning and land use to increase walkability, transit access, and transit use.
City of Berwyn Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Code Update
The RTA is partnering with the City of Berwyn to develop strategies to implement the recommendations of its Central Harlem Avenue study for transportation and land-use improvements. The study area includes Harlem Avenue on the west, Roosevelt Road on the north, Wisconsin Avenue on the east, and Pershing Road on the south. This encompasses the entirety of Harlem Avenue within the City and the Harlem Avenue Metra station.
The project will review existing zoning codes and procedures to ensure that they are consistent and clear to developers and residents while devising a comprehensive plan to encourage developers to build pedestrian and transit infrastructure in the study area.
The RTA will work with the city and an independent contractor. It is expected to be completed by mid-Spring 2023.
Village of Hanover Park Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Code Update
The RTA is partnering with the Village of Hanover Park to realize the goals of its 2010 Comprehensive Plan, which identified the village’s TOD area as a well-planned, transit-oriented, mixed-use, compact development in Hanover Park.
Currently, Hanover Park’s zoning code is not conducive to enabling the goals listed in its Comprehensive Plan without significant changes. The RTA will support the village in redefining its land use, parking, density, design guidelines, and more to prepare Hanover Park for the potential of redevelopment, creating a new Village Center.
The project will review the zoning process and procedures to ensure it is consistent and clear to developers and residents. It will also build upon and expand existing design standards in the Village Center TOD Plan and Comprehensive Plan for commercial, multifamily and townhouses.
The RTA has entered into a contract with Codametrics, who is responsible for the project. The code amendments are expected to be adopted by the Village Board in August.
Village of Maywood Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Zoning Code Update
The RTA is partnering with the Village of Maywood to execute the zoning code modification as outlined in their Downtown Transit-Oriented Development Plan, which offers a vision for downtown and its newly renovated Metra station.
To fulfil the vision outlined in the plan, the village’s zoning code must be modified to allow for the type of development the plan recommends, such as more dwelling units, mixed-use developments, affordable housing and more.
The project will establish zoning changes which will:
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