Several BHCA leaders were among a citywide contingent of residents who met a few days ago with City Council President Zeke Cohen over the council’s proposed bill 25-0066. That bill would eliminate zoning restrictions that limit the cutting up of large single-unit residences into as many as four apartments as a matter of right without approval from city council or the zoning commission.
The fate of the bill was unclear as we closed out The Bulletin. On Feb. 12, the council committee chaired by Councilmember Ryan Dorsey, who sponsored the bill, met for two hours and heard but did not vote on several amendments that would modify and limit the impact of the original bill. According to BHCA board member Jim Prost, who attended, the meeting did not allow further public input and did not provide any new printed information about the proposed changes. The committee is scheduled to meet again on Thursday, Feb. 17, at 9 a. m.
Zac Blanchard, the 11th district councilmember who represents the south side of Bolton Hill, supports the zoning changes, while 7th District councilmember James Torrence, representing the neighborhood north of McMechen Street, opposes it. Cohen seemed interested in ways to amend the bill, which has generated a large amount of opposition led by a coalition called “No on 25-0066.” Leaders of that coalition oppose the bill going, contending that the proposed changes have been rushed through by supportive council members and the mayor.
BHCA board months ago reiterated its position, first taken in 2023, that embraces allowing resident owners as a matter of right – that is, without a zoning waiver – to create a second unit in their residences, but not more. Many opponents of Council Bill 25-0066 fear that as packaged it will attract non-resident investors to buy and cut up large Bolton Hill properties as they come on the market.
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