A last minute protest letter helped to keep a house, instead of a parking lot, at 219 Somonauk St. in Sycamore.

A 4-4 vote Monday by the Sycamore City Council was not enough to put a 30-space city parking lot on Somonauk in place of an old house.

Sycamore Mayor Harold “Red” Johnson, who supported a new parking lot, could not approve the proposal with his tie-breaking vote because of a letter of protest.

City Attorney Tim Johnson announced that a letter protesting a zone change signed by at least 20 percent of adjoining property owners would force the city council to approve the change with a two-thirds majority (at least a 5-3 vote).

The zone needed to be changed to build the parking lot on what is now a historic district.

The letter stated there is enough parking in Sycamore and a new lot would be an “unnecessary and damaging intrusion into the Sycamore historic district.”

Downtown now holds about 158 parking spaces.

The announcement by the city attorney confused and angered some councilmen who had never heard of the rule before. The motion to approve the lot almost was removed, but it stayed after further consideration.

Fourth Ward Ald. Philip Ramsey said he was “curious” about where the rule came from. “I’ve been on this council for 18 years and I’ve never heard of it,” Ramsey said.

But the results pleased some Sycamore citizens who attended the meeting.

“Additional parking is not needed. (The property) could really be used for better purposes for all citizens of Sycamore and DeKalb County,” said Berni Shelkopf, who lives near the property.

However, Jerry Henderson, who represented the retail division of Sycamore’s Chamber of Commerce, said a plan made in 1969 by Sycamore for a business district “clearly” includes the property on Somonauk Street.

Along with Henderson, Mayor Johnson pointed out the money for the parking lot would come from parking meters which he said already have paid for existing lots.

The new Somonauk lot would have cost $100,000 to $175,000.

Businesses near the proposed parking lot include Sharlyn’s, 204 Somonauk St., Franklin’s Life Insurance, 204 1/2 Somonauk St., State Farm Insurance, 122 Somonauk St. and Henderson’s Department Store, 308 W. State St.

The Elk and Moose lodges also are located on Somonauk St.