ROGERS PARK — Two new housing developments are set to transform the landscape of Sheridan Road in Rogers Park, with plans for the former Leona’s restaurant and a site previously occupied by a single-family home receiving the green light from local officials.
Alderman Maria Hadden has supported a zoning change that will convert the abandoned Leona’s restaurant at 6929 N. Sheridan Road into a modern five-story structure featuring 80 residential units and commercial space at the ground level.
The decision follows adjustments made by the development team, which includes Sal Siraj of Chicago Equity Partners and Mike Maresso from MC & Associates. Their alterations were in direct response to community feedback gathered from a recent survey.
Originally, developers proposed a more substantial six-story building with 81 apartments, which raised concerns among local residents regarding its height, parking adequacy, and the absence of family-sized living options.
In the revised plan, the building will consist of 48 one-bedroom apartments, 24 two-bedroom units, and 8 three-bedroom apartments.
Furthermore, 16 of these units are designated as affordable housing for individuals earning less than 60 percent of the area median income, aligning with the city’s Affordable Requirement Ordinance.
The updated project will also provide 42 parking spaces and 40 spaces for bike parking.
Specific details about the amount of commercial space included in the development are still pending, as the developers were not available for immediate comment.
Before construction can commence, the zoning change must pass through the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards, as well as obtaining a final vote from the full City Council.
Additionally, the plans must be evaluated by the city’s Plan Commission because the proposed site is located near Lake Michigan, necessitating compliance with the Lakefront Protection Ordinance, Hadden explained.
Previously, the site was intended for a restaurant, but since Leona’s closure in 2019, its condition has declined, rendering major renovations cost-prohibitive for reopening a dining establishment.
In a separate but related development, Hadden reported further housing expansion at 7728 N. Sheridan Road, located at the southwest corner of Sheridan Road and Juneway Terrace.
This project entails the construction of two buildings, each housing four apartments, on a vacant lot where a single-family home was recently demolished.
In initial proposals, the developers sought to erect a six-story complex containing 52 apartments; however, Hadden rejected this approach due to substantial concerns from neighborhood residents.
Primary issues raised included the building’s density in relation to the previous single-family home, the limited provision of parking spaces—only nine were initially planned—and potential traffic congestion in the area.
The revised project adheres to ‘by-right’ regulations, which means it does not require a rezoning process or additional approvals from city officials.
As it stands, construction permits have not yet been issued, according to city records, but plans for both developments reflect a commitment to incorporating community feedback in the evolving landscape of Rogers Park.
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