Zoning change endorsed for dental offices at defunct condo site in Park Ridge

• Reprints

Updated: March 3, 2012 8:42AM

Property rezoned more than four years ago to accommodate a condominium development that was never constructed could undergo another zoning change if the Park Ridge City Council supports a recommendation from the Planning and Zoning Commission.

The commission is recommending a map amendment changing the zoning at 111 S. Washington Ave. from R-5, high density, multi-family, to B-1, retail and office. The new zoning is required in order for new dental offices to open in the building.

The City Council could consider the recommendation on Feb. 6.

City Planner Jon Branham said new offices cannot operate in the building unless it is rezoned for office use. Before the 2007 rezoning, the property had been zoned for office use.

A fencing school, in the basement of 111 S. Washington, opened last year and later obtained the special-use permit required to continue operating.

At one time 111 S. Washington was expected to be sold to developers planning to construct 160 condominium units on a three-parcel site known as Executive Plaza. The development never occurred and structures on the other two parcels remain vacant.

The Planning and Zoning Commission is also recommending approval of a rezoning request from Resurrection Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 1001 N. Greenwood Ave. The property is now zoned single-family residential when it really should be zoned multi-family residential in accordance with the city’s Zoning Ordinance, the city said. The commission also supported a site-plan review of a small building addition and alteration of the parking lot.

Resurrection is looking to construct a one-story, 758-square-foot vestibule on the northeast side of the building. The nursing facility’s existing entrance is along Greenwood Avenue and the new vestibule would serve as an additional entry point, according to the city.

The proposal also calls for a new drop-off area to be created, allowing vehicles to access the new vestibule; an expansion of the outdoor patio; and a reduction in parking spaces from 181 to 163. A row of parking spaces located along the northern edge of the building would be mostly eliminated, the city said.