U-TOD Moving Forward
Blue Island’s long awaited Transit-Oriented Development zoning district continues to move toward adoption. On Monday, May 14 at 6pm the Zoning Board of Appeals will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed Uptown-TOD (U-TOD) district. The meeting will be held at the City Hall East Annex, 2434 Vermont Street, Blue Island. The Blue Island City Council will hear the recommendation of the Zoning Board on Tuesday, May 22 at 7pm. This meeting is also held at the East Annex.
You can download the proposed zoning district ordinance, maps, and memos at http://www.blueisland.org/zoning
The U-TOD district has been proposed since the adoption of the Blue Island Plan for Economic Development (2005) and encompasses the South Station Residential District, Hospital District and Main Street Commercial Area, and the South Main Street Area as found in the Blue Island Plan, as well as the Olde Western Historic District. The new district comprises of areas zoned C-1 Central Area Commercial south of Union Street, including Olde Western; C-2 Highway Commercial parcels on Vermont Street between Irving and Division; and R-1 Single Family Residential parcels along Chicago Street and both west of Chatham and south of Vermont to the Cal-Sag and Division Street. Zones have been created within the U-TOD district to preserve Single Family Residential found in the current R-1 district.
Photos from Calumet Heritage Partnership paddling tour of the Cal-Sag Channel, Oct. 22, 2011. Images include SEPA Station 3, “Five Bridges” and a Heron roosting on the banks of the Cal-Sag. Photos courtesy Claire Halpin.
Canoe & Kayak the Cal-Sag!
Ever look at the Cal-Sag and think… wow, wish I could take a trip down there, if only I had a kayak or a canoe…
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 - CAL-SAG CHANNEL PADDLING TOUR!
Jason Berry will be leading a GUIDED TOUR of Blue Island’s waterfront by kayak or canoe. Tour departs from Fay’s Point at 12:30pm and returns by 4pm. $10/person. Limit 25 boats. Bring your own boat or rent a single or tandem kayak (recommended) or canoe from Chicago River Canoe & Kayak. EMAIL MIKE SIOLA ASAP TO RESERVE! Send an e-mail to msiola@csu.edu with the subject “Calumet Heritage Conference” and include the information requested on the registration form (name address, phone, whether you want to rent a kayak or canoe). Register via paypal.
Points of Interest include: Little Calumet River; Fay’s Point / Confluence; Blue Island Locks; Division and Chatham bridges; MWRD SEPA station; Western Ave / Rock Island bridge; Stony Creek / Calumet Feeder; former gas plant site; rail bridges (5 bridges)
