"Bungalows aren't preserved" from today's SunTimes Opinions Section

[ruffian]

Bungalows aren't preserved

When Mayor Daley announced the Historic Bungalow Initiative, the idea was to preserve those historic structures. But after serving on the 25th District housing subcommittee for six years and having recently attended neighborhood hearings on the new zoning laws, it seems there is still nothing in place to prevent those bungalows from being illegally converted into three- to six-flats. Yes, a six-flat that can generate up to $6,000 a month in rent! Many homeowners have added a front entrance to the basement and added a staircase to the attic off the front door. Then they divide those floors into two separate apartments. One homeowner reports seeing 30 mattresses (no box springs) being delivered to the basement of the home next door.

The Austin area is just beginning to experience this phenomenon. Real estate agents and investors are buying homes and marketing them with basement and attic spaces that include kitchens and baths for the in-laws. Even more interesting is a previously two-bedroom home that now has six bedrooms and two home offices. To coin a phrase the mayor likes to use, ''This is ridiculous!''

I am calling on the mayor and the City Council to address the issue of illegal conversions before final passage of the new zoning laws. This will help solve the problems with parking, garbage and overcrowded schools. Penalties for those found guilty of this practice should include the installation of a water meter at the owner's expense, payment of increased property taxes for the time the house was illegally converted, conversion of the property back to a single-family home as well as a non-forgivable monetary fine that will take the profit out of those conversions.

Arlene Jones,
Austin

[pioneer]

Why live in a crowded, illegally-converted six flat single-family bungalow in Austin, when you could live in the lap of luxury of a less-so-crowded, illegally converted three flat single-family bungalow in Berwyn...it's just a hop, skip, and a jump away!

Wow, $6,000 per month....hmmmmm...maybe I should quit my day job.

As they say, if you can't beat 'em...join 'em!!!