At least three aldermen Monday declared their intentions to vote against an ordinance from the Macomb Planning Commission calling for the re-zoning of two residential properties on Elting and Albert Streets.

The commission, on a 7-2 vote last week, recommended rezoning 425 W. Elting St. and 832 N. Albert St. from one-family to two-family occupancy. William Embry, whose family owns the property on Elting, said he feels zoning should reflect the conditions in a neighborhood.

Embry said all but the two homes in that block have four or more residents.  Scott McMillan, who owns the North Albert property, said, "I really don't think it's a family neighborhood anymore. My house has been for sale for two years.  Nobody who has a family wants it."

Community Development Coordinator Ed Basch pointed out that other properties in the neighborhood may be under different occupancy standards. He said it depends upon which year a home was registered with the city, as the current one-family rental standard was adopted in 2007.

Two members of the neighborhood group HANDS spoke against the planning commission recommendation. Sally Egler said it would destroy a line drawn for family occupancy under the recently adopted city comprehensive plan.

"I think it's reasonable that there will be more rezoning requests if these are approved," she said. "The council needs to determine if it's in the best interest of the city and the neighborhood to increase the density."

Dan Murphy said he believes there is room to add a second house on each of the lots, which would be allowed if the zoning is changed. "Whatever zoning allows to the maximum will happen to these properties," he predicted.

Alderman Dave Dorsett disagreed with Embry's contention that zoning should be altered to reflect a current reality. "The idea is to plan and control growth, not react to it," he said.

Aldermen Tim Lobdell and Mike Inman said they feel the council needs to give the comprehensive plan a chance before pealing it apart through legislation.

Alderman Lou Gilbert said he disagrees. "I took a look at both properties, and I agree with the planning commission," he said. "It doesn't make sense to keep that zoning."
The proposed ordinance will receive first reading next week, so there is no action and little discussion anticipated then. 

It takes a vote of seven aldermen to override a planning commission recommendation, so four others would need to side with Dorsett, Lobdell, and Inman when the ordinance is called for a vote.  

In other business this week, aldermen voted unanimously to approve covenants for the Village at Wheeler subdivision. Basch had previously expressed concern that they might not call for adequate authority or control over the maintenance of common areas in the subdivision.

Basch told aldermen he has since received revised covenants. "All of the items I requested have been addressed," he said.

The community development coordinator also informed aldermen that David Pyles has withdrawn his request for a special use permit to operate his home at 14550 U.S. 67 North as a bed and breakfast establishment. The Macomb Planning Commission last week unanimously recommended denial of the request.