Milwaukee and Lawrence Pedestrian District View Full Caption

JEFFERSON PARK — Ald. John Arena (45th) will hold a community meeting Sept. 4 to discuss a measure that would prevent strip malls from being built on vacant pieces of land near Lawrence and Milwaukee avenues in the Jefferson Park Business District.

Arena wants to designate Milwaukee Avenue from Giddings to Higgins avenues and Lawrence Avenue from Long to Laramie avenues a pedestrian overlay zoning district, which is designed to protect walkable shopping districts.

Heather Cherone says Arena wants more focus on pedestrian friendly businesses:

The designation does not change the width or the length of street or the sidewalk, or the zoning of any lot, Arena said in a letter to residents of the 45th Ward.

It would, however, require that new buildings be built within 5 feet of the sidewalk, that the facade facing the street be at least 60 percent transparent glass, that buildings have a primary entrance facing the street, and that all parking be in the rear and not be visible from the street, according to the alderman.

The rules, if approved, would prohibit new driveways and drive-throughs, like the ones at the CVS drugstore at Milwaukee and Lawrence avenues.

"The purpose of the designation is to protect the existing, pedestrian-friendly shopping district we have in downtown Jefferson Park," Arena wrote.

The meeting is scheduled to take place at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 at the Jefferson Park branch of the Chicago Public Library.

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