The Chicago Ridge Village Board has approved rezoning 10 properties across the village, including the former Our Lady of the Ridge School at 10825 S. Ridgeland Ave.
The board unanimously approved the rezoning at its Oct. 21 meeting on the recommendation of the Planning and Zoning Commission, which held a public hearing on the request Sept. 24.
The other properties are a parking lot at 10909 S. Ridgeland Ave., also connected to the parish school, and eight properties on Central Avenue between 108th and 111th streets. Most of those are multistory residential buildings.
The R4 zoning designation, which the Village Board approved earlier this year, limits construction to single-family homes, condominiums, townhouses and duplexes. Apartments are not allowed in R4 zones. Buildings can have no more than three floors and six units and cannot exceed 40 feet.
“We are doing this rezoning for a variety of reasons. What this does is give us a seat at the table,” Mayor Jack Lind said, referring to the requirement that the village approve any future redevelopment plans for the properties.
A resident asked why the church property in particular was rezoned.
“This new zoning doesn’t change anything now for any of the buildings. It would only come into effect if the property is ever sold,” Village Clerk Barbara Harrison said.
Since Our Lady of the Ridge School closed in 2018, the two-story building has been used only for meetings and a few parish-related activities.
Also at the meeting, Lind presented Ian Hernandez, 11, a Chicago Ridge resident, with a Certificate of Achievement for his success in Special Olympics.
“We’re very proud of this young gentleman. Ian has participated in Special Olympics through the Oak Lawn Park District for the past two years,” Lind said.
Lind said Ian competes in basketball and soccer, won a gold medal in soccer at the state Summer Games in Bloomington this year and was named Junior Athlete of the Year at the park district’s fall sports banquet.
Ian wore his gold medal and admired his certificate, then raised his hands in celebration as his mother, Marisol Hernandez, took photos.
She thanked the village for honoring Ian’s success in regional and state competitions, noting that he has Down syndrome and that October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month. She credited Todd Mallo, special recreation supervisor for the Oak Lawn Park District, with getting Ian involved in the program.
“And you think we don’t have champions in this town? We got one,” Lind said.