Truth in Zoning

We believe that the city of Macomb, Illinois, suffers the following problems:

1. Lack of safe, affordable rental housing for single families, particularly for elderly persons and young families with children. Because many landlords purchase single family zoned homes and rent them by the bedroom, families (particularly elderly persons) are not able to rent at the prices landlords charge. This results in emigration of families away from single family zoned rental units, and increases density and high turnover rates in these neighborhoods.
2. Rapid degradation of neighborhood identity & quality due to the purchase and rental of single family homes by for-profit small business owners who do not reside in the neighborhoods where they own property.
3. A decline in safety and enjoyment of our homes due to problems related to zoning ordinances which allow for high density populations in residential neighborhoods. This causes such problems as;

• an increase in disruptive noise, particularly during normal sleep hours
• loss of green space due to increased parking needs
• loss of neighborhood stability due to transience of residents
• loss of 'community identity'...neighbors do not know each other, and do not get the opportunity to have long term ties with each other because of the constant inflow and out migration of residents
• increased traffic and parking density problems
• decreased property values
• increased property maintenance ordinance violations
• decreased curb appeal of our neighborhoods

Supporting Research-

1. Stephani, Carl (1999). "Understanding zoning ordinances". Public Management 81(10). pp 41-41.

2. Pollack, Patricia Baron. (1994). "Rethinking zoning to accommodate the elderly in single family housing". Journal of
the American Planning Association, 60(4), p. 521-531.

3. McCarthy, Rebecca. (2001). "Neighbors complain about noise, trash, and rental properties in single-family areas". Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 4, 2001. Available: http://www.edc.org/hec/news/hecnews/0936.html

4. Code of the City of Ithaca, New York, online [Electronic]. (2001, March). Available: http://gcp.esub.net/cgi-bin/om_isapi.dll?clientID=99677&infobase=
ithaca.nfo&softpage=

5. DeJong, William, and Epstein, Joel [Electronic]. (2000, December). "Working in partnership with local colleges and universities" . Available: http://www.edc.org/hec/pubs/strategizer.pdf

6. Gebhardt, Thomas [Electronic]. (1998). "Town Gown Cooperation". Available http://www.edc.org/hec/pubs/articles/towngown.html

What Other Cities Are Doing West Lafayette, IN. -http://www.city.west-lafayette.in.us/ minutes/ord17-01.htm Athens, GA- http://www.users.muohio.edu/karrowrs/College/ CT_Less_Than_3_Athens_GA.htm Menomonie, WI- http://www.users.muohio.edu/karrowrs/College /Menomonie%20WI/Downzoning_Menomonie.html East Lansing, MI- http://www.users.muohio.edu/karrowrs/College/ CT_Less_Than_3_East_Lansing.htm Families & Students living together- http://www.users.muohio.edu/karro wrs/College/index.html Gaineville, Fla.- http://gainesvillesun.com/articles/ 2001-02-27c.shtml Different Approaches to 'Less than three' City Ordinances- http://www.users.muohio.edu/karrowrs/ College/CT_Less_Than_3.htm

 

How the Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996
defines 'Family'
family ['fam-le, 'fa-me-] pl: -lies
1: a group of individuals related by blood, marriage, or adoption
2: a group of usu. related individuals who live together under common household authority and esp. who have reciprocal duties to each other

Note: The interpretation of the word family in a law context depends upon the area of the law concerned (as contract or zoning law), the purpose of the document (as a statute or contract) in which it is used, and the facts of the case. Often for zoning purposes, the occupants of a group home are considered a family if the organization is like that of a family or if the home is going to be a permanent rather than a transitional residence for the occupants.

How the City of Macomb Defines 'Family'
family ['fam-le, 'fa-me-] pl: -lies
1. An individual or group of two or more persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption together with not more than three additional persons not related by blood, marriage, or adoption living together as a single housekeeping unit is a dwelling unit or a husband and wife together with not more than six minor children operating as a foster family home or group home which is licensed by the State of Illinois or six unrelated individuals occupying a single housekeeping unit in a multiple family dwelling.

Read Dave Dorsett's Commentary Transcript On The Meaning of 'Family'

Proposed Solutions
We propose to request, by petition, the amendment of the zoning definitions for "single family housing" to change the Macomb Zoning definition of family.

Actions
1. We have encouraged homeowners, renters, and other residents of Macomb to contact the members of the Macomb City Council to voice their opinions.

2. We appeared before the Macomb Planning Commission, where we received unanimous support for our definition. We received unanimous support from the "Community Quality of Life Committee". We appeared before the City Council to make our request .