The Naperville Plan Commission Wednesday considered expanding home-to-office conversions on a portion of Ogden Avenue between Mill and Washington Streets.
The request, which would affect six properties, was touched off by JEMM Investments, which wants to convert the home at 210 W. Ogden Ave. into an office despite many neighbors’ opposition.
“I’m concerned for the safety of my children who are playing outside,” said resident Sara McCauley. “If you want to raise a family, you don’t want to live 150 feet from a business.”
Other residents were concerned the proposed change would bring more traffic to their neighborhood and negatively impact property values.
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The rezoning would allow for businesses such as architects, brokers, engineers, insurance agents, lawyers, real estate agents, and dental practitioners to operate out of a residence without changing the character of the structure.
Some Plan Commission members raised concerns about the property’s size at 210 W. Ogden and parking, saying that the lot is too small and that it would be difficult for vehicles to pull in and out of the property.
The Plan Commission continued the discussion to Oct. 6.
The commission also considered a text amendment to the zoning code to allow religious facilities to occupy existing office or warehouse spaces in industrial areas.
The commission did not take any action and asked city staff to provide more information about the size of space that would be allowed, the time frame the space could be used and any limitations they could place on the use of the space.
The Plan Commission will continue discussing the issue Oct. 6.
Also this week, city officials agreed to research the merits of a 311-call center in an effort to streamline incoming phone calls from citizens.
The general-information call center concept is similar to Chicago’s 311 phone number, where citizens seeking answers to city-related questions can call the three-digit number and be connected to a live operator, 24 hours a day, who would answer the questions directly or put the caller in contact with the appropriate staff.
Some of the benefits of a 311 center include increasing customer service, providing a single point of contact for customers, reducing transferred phone calls, increasing staff efficiency, and reducing non-emergency calls to 911 by 25 to 30 percent, according to consultants.