I disagree with the comments contained in the Jan. 14 letter from Bob and Sharon Cox in the Forest Park Review regarding major changes to the village’s residential zoning code.
The stated primary objectives for amending the code by adoption of a large zoning rule grid stated in their letter sound good but in reality, it only serves as a smokescreen to cover a large bundle of special zoning “favors” permeating this grid.
Contrary to what has been stated, there was no thorough vetting of these changes. Some of these changes came about by meetings between Forest Park zoning officials and real estate developers wanting to “run wild.”
It is possible to address certain matters impacting nonconforming properties without opening up the “flood gates” by broadly allowing all kinds of stuff that is just bad for many residents of the village.
This is especially true for changes contained in the grid for R-3 District residences.
I along with many other residents own and reside in single-family houses in this R-3 District. Changes to be allowed by the new grid such as 60-foot-high, multi-story buildings, no setback from lot lines, and 80% lot coverage will simply ruin our lives.
Changes need to be discussed one by one with a narrative presentation setting forth what currently exists, along with the proposed changes. A derailed explanation must be presented showing how what is presented will not be harmful to existing current residents.
I am highly qualified to comment on these matters. I am a retired federal bank examiner specializing in real estate matters. I have a boatload of professional training in both residential and commercial real estate matters and title search issues.
I have reviewed hundreds of real estate development proposals and loans locally and across the country. I have assisted in the civil and criminal federal investigation and prosecution of white-collar real estate wrongdoing for various U.S. Attorney offices and special bank fraud task forces.
Tom Kovac
Retired federal regulator under the U.S. Treasury
