Hawthorne Neighbors – General Meeting
Meeting Minutes
September 16, 7:00pm
Present: See Sign in Sheet
Next meeting: November 21, 7:00pm, Resurrection Lutheran Church
I. Announcements
A. Lakeview Citizen’s Council (LVCC) Founders Party November 11.
Carol Sohl, Director of Community Outreach for LVCC announced that on Tuesday, November 11, 2008 (Veteran's Day) Lakeview Citizen’s council will host its Founders party at Haray Caray’s, 3551 N. Sheffield from 6p.m- 9pm.Cocktails and hors d’oeuvres will be served. The moneys raised by LVCC fund numerous neighborhood programs aimed at improving our community. A portion of this event’s funds will also benefit our troops. For details about LVCC’s programs and contributions to our community or to purchase tickets please visit http://www.lakeviewcitizens.org/founders.asp or call the LVCC office at 773-880-5822.
B. Lakeview Citizen’s Council (LVCC) LVCC Results of the Wrigley Weekend Night Game Survey
Results from LVCC most recent neighborhood poll are available online at http://www.lakeviewcitizens.org/files/Weekend_Wrigley%20090508.pdf . Although there is no official request from the Cubs to add weekend night games this survey was conducted in August of 2008. As Charlie Schmidt reported the survey leaves a lot of room for interpretation.
C. Cubby Bear Clean-Up
Joshua Schatan, General Manager from the Cubby Bear announced a neighborhood clean up sponsored by the Cubby bear and Vines scheduled for September 27 from 1-4. There were to be at least 40 employees working a several blocks around the Cubby Bear picking up garbage and sweeping in the area. He also invited neighbors for free pizza, cookies, water and beer during the event.
D. Hawthorne Membership
Charlie Schmidt reminded those in attendance that membership is on a rolling basis. Meaning that the month you join is the month of your annual renewal. When you receive your newsletter from Hawthorne you will notice that the mailing address label is date coded above the addressees name with the membership renewal month. Please remember your membership must be current in order to vote at any meeting.
E. Carol Sohl is now a registrar for voting!
Carol Sohl, Director of Community Outreach for LVCC, is now a voter registrar. She announced that she would be happy to come to businesses or community groups to register new voters. Although the deadline for this November’s election is October 6, interested members should keep Carol in mind for future voter registration needs. Carol Sohl can be reached at 773-880-5822.
II. Discussion
A. Zoning Issues
Hawthorne welcomed Alderman Tunney to our September meeting. The discussion began with a return to the rezoning issue on the 1100 block of Roscoe. Mr. Jimmy Eng, who owns the property at 1141 W. Roscoe, had returned to the May meeting to request Hawthorne Neighbors’ support for a zoning upgrade from R4 to R4.5. Unfortunately he was not on the agenda so we were unable to vote on the matter. He was asked to return with his specific elevations to the September meeting. Although he did not rejoin us for a vote, his particular request brought up issues worthy of discussion.
Mr. Eng’s argument for zoning relief has centered on the issue of his unusually small lot size. Alderman Tunney stated that it might be more useful for the community to consider a holistic change in the zoning on that block rather than consider each separate request that would likely be spurred on by the one change allowed on the block. These types of individual changes interspersed throughout an area is called spot zoning. A zoning change of Mr. Eng’s property at 1141 W. Roscoe would set a precedent. Hawthorne has historically been cautious of setting such precedents. However due to the unique circumstances of Mr. Eng’s shortened lot there were many would seemed to favor the idea of support a zoning change in this case. Alderman Tunney did note that plans can be attached to a zoning change such that if the owner were to sell before completing the redevelopment of the property the purchaser would be obligated to fulfill the attached plans if they redevelop the property. Once there is a definitive plan brought to us we will take a formal vote.
B. Neighborhood Project Updates
Alderman Tunney then updated us on other projects in the neighborhood. The Hawthorne School’s field is going to be replaced with artificial turf. The redevelopment of the Jewel on Southport has been delayed at least a year due to the slowing economy. Some projects such as adding street lights may be slowed do to the city’s budget problems. Also the footprint of the proposed Addison/Clark project has expanded to just north of the Irish Oak. Alderman Tunney has said that he has not yet been presented with new plans for the development.
C. Clark Street Issues
We discussed the pedestrian traffic on the Clark corridor with the Alderman. The busy atmosphere particularly on weekend nights on that stretch of Clark remains a concern to all. Public safety and traffic congestion are two major concerns. Some things that the alderman is looking into to alleviate some of the problems include more nighttime parking restrictions and possible weekend street closures. Also the rerouting of city buses along Sheffield from Newport to Addison is being considered as well. The Alderman remains committed to monitoring the issues on Clark Street.
D. Diplomat Hotel Update
Lastly, Virginia Carstarphen, secretary of Hawthorne neighbors’ reported on the Diplomat Hotel. Commissioner Ellen Sahli from the city of Chicago’s Department of Housing now says the Diplomat Hotel is a huge priority for the city. The city wants very much to get this property into the hands of an owner who will rehab and preserve the building.
Alderman Tunney added that at the Diplomat’s last court appearance in September the judge appointed Community Investment Corporation as a limited receiver that would evaluate the cost to redo, upgrade and enhance the capacity of the hotel’s electric system. Virginia Carstarphen stated that the electric system is the source of grave concern; the hotels fire alarm system frequently sorts out and is then turned off by the hotel managers. The court appointed receiver assisted in relocating a resident who could not safely reside at the diplomat because that resident’s ventilator failed to operate because of the faulty power in the building.
Lakeview Action Coalition (LAC) and Alderman Tunney share a commitment for the preservation of the Diplomat as affordable housing. Heartland Alliance remains the one viable operator interested in acquiring the property. It is hoped that increasing pressure from the city will encourage the Diplomat’s owner to accept Heartland’s offer to purchase the building. The next court date for the Diplomat Hotel is October 28, 2008. Virginia Carstarphen encouraged interested members to join her and members of LAC for the hearing.