After an expansive development was rejected, a new pitch looks to rezone 4 Rockford plots for duplexes

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A local developer is making a new pitch to bring duplex homes to vacant land south of Fincham Drive near Perryville Road on the city’s east side.

LAS Management is asking the city to rezone four parcels of land from limited commercial to two-family residential zoning. The zoning switch would allow for four duplexes to be built at 6783 and 6819 Fincham Drive and 886 and 891 White Chapel Lane, which are plots directly north of the existing neighborhood.

The request is being put forth after a more expansive development plan was nixed by the City Council three months ago.

The proposal coming forward now asks the City Council only for a zoning change. It does not lay out any specific details of the development that would follow if the change is granted. City staff has recommended approving the zoning change.

“We’re mainly focused on verifying whether this is an appropriate change to the zoning map,” said Attorney Victor Zamora, who is representing the developer. “At this point we’re hoping that the elected public officials of City Council will agree with the city and staff recommendation. If it does get approved, we would love to share more details. … We don’t want to go too far if (the zoning) isn’t going to change.”

LAS Management is a limited liability company under Realtor and real estate investor Luke Salamone, who is partnered with NBA star Fred VanVleet in the real estate company. The duo had a previous more expansive pitch for development in the area. City Council members ultimately rejected that planned unit development in a 9-5 vote on Sept. 2. That proposal was for 180 units through a combination of duplexes and four-unit buildings.

The previous proposal had faced resistance from neighbors, who raised concerns about increased traffic and congestion. City Council then delayed its vote when some aldermen wanted the developer to negotiate an agreement with union labor. However, when it reached the council floor no one specified any reason for their no vote.

City staff recommends the new proposed zoning switch, saying it fits into the area where there is already housing.

“We think it’s a very reasonable request and falls in line with our future land use plans,” said Scott Capovilla, the city’s planning and zoning manager.

Housing demand

Homebuilding has been lackluster in the area since the onset of the Great Recession in 2007. That has contributed to a shortage of homes on the market, driving up the price of homes for sale and rental rates. The home inventory shortage was exacerbated by the pandemic, which drove down mortgage rates that many homeowners feel locked into today. There have been record lows in housing inventory this year.

A housing study commissioned by the city said that Rockford will need 3,200 to 9,100 new housing units by 2033.

“There’s been a lot of criticism in the community about housing and a shortage of housing,” Zamora said. “They’re trying to fill in a gap that’s missing in the city of Rockford.”

The proposal will make its first stop in the process for potential approval on Tuesday, Dec. 16 before the Zoning Board of Appeals at City Hall.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas