The DeKalb City Council continued to work on zoning issues at Monday night’s meeting.

Both October city council meetings have been largely devoted to voting on residents’ appeals of rezoning in the Maplewood neighborhood, according to city staff.

The appeals follow recommendations made by DeKalb’s Planning Commission in March 2007. Residents were given until July 29 to petition the city to keep their previous zoning.

The Planning Commission and the city staff both made recommendations regarding each of the properties to the council.

The most popular reason given for staff rejection of appeals was a desire to keep neighborhoods from becoming more densely populated.

“We see this as speculative,” said Community Development Director Russ Farnum, referring to property owners with single family homes seeking approval for two family residential zoning.

On most votes, the council has followed the recommendations of DeKalb city staff.

However, one property owner, Charles Quinlan of Quinlan’s Cleaning Service, brought his case before the council, asking council members to vote against the recommendation of both city staff and the planning commission.

“When we purchased the property in question we were granted a light commercial zone,” said Quinlan. “We want to look at this lot for future development. I look at it as commercial property.”

Alderman Chris Povlsen, 2nd Ward, said he wants the council to be supportive of businesses in DeKalb.

Alderman Donna Gorski, 4th Ward, reminded fellow council members that in supporting this exception, light commercial surrounded by residential, it could cause other residents to begin objecting to rezoning.

By the time of adjournment the council asked for additional options and information before casting a vote at the next meeting.