Ward Zoning and Planning Committee Meeting: 5/26/04

Greg Harris, Chief of Staff, gave the Ward Report.

4707-4715 N. Broadway: developer/owner, Thaddeus Wong, plans to do a complete historical renovation and restoration of this building. It is expected that the space will be used for commercial leases. Crewbar will be open at the end of June or the beginning of July. The developers of 1055 W. Bryn Mawr (old Walgreen's building) are courting tenants for this space including Flat-Top Grill. Edgewater Fitness Week takes place May 29-June 6. This Sunday, May 30, Lake Shore Drive will be blocked off completely in the morning for Bike The Drive, until 10:30 a.m. The Margate Park Tot Lot & Playlot construction will begin after Memorial Day. Goudy Campus Park Plans will be reviewed in a meeting to be announced with affected block clubs and condo owners once the plans are drawn up. Borders is officially open. Changes will be made to the sidewalk cafe to meet City Ordinances.

N. Sheridan: utility issues are being resolved. 1100 W. Bryn Mawr (Nookies): city has agreed to take charge of the remediation and removal of the underground contamination; A meeting has been scheduled for July 2.

Vietnamese Association Parking Lot (on Winthrop) owners and the VAI (Vietnamese Association of Illinois) are planning to meet with local block clubs regarding how the space should be used. VAI is looking for consultants to advise them in this matter and then a meeting will be scheduled.

The Zoning Reform Ordinance passed today at City Council; the effective date is November, 2004. Meetings with community leaders will be scheduled in the next few weeks as to how to approach planning in the 48th Ward.

OTHER AGENDA ITEMS:

Proposed 48th Ward liquor license moratorium map for taverns and packaged goods - maps are being redrawn throughout the city because of changes in Ward boundaries in the last redistricting. A preliminary 48th Ward map proposal will be presented that is very similar to the existing map. Block clubs and community organizations are urged to take copies and suggest changes. The boundaries have been drawn in 2 block segments. This only affects commercial properties. The Alderman's office has requested that if the block clubs have changes or suggestions the protocol is to submit changes on block club letterhead and address it to Ingrid's attention.

Initial presentation on proposal for Sheridan Road Rezoning: ASCCO (Association of Sheridan Condominium and Co-op Owners) and other Sheridan Road residents are concerned about density issues based on the current zoning. Sheli Lulkin and ASCO presented a plan to re-zone underdeveloped lots on Sheridan Road to prevent density issues and hi-rise buildings based on the current zoning. They are working with the Department of Planning to get R-5.5 and B-2.3 zoning in place. There was no vote on the matter.

6124 N. Broadway (tabled at the April meeting): a proposal for a 6-story, mixed use building with 10 condo units and one or two commercial spaces - the motion was approved to grant alley access. The property is already zoned for a 6-story building. The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and the Granville Task Force had requested the developer to build a 5-story building as a compromise but the developer declined their request. The plan will move forward as a 6-story, mixed use building with 10 condo units and one or two commercial spaces at the ground level