Ward Zoning and Planning Committee Meeting: 7/28/04

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

WARD UPDATE:

The Atelier Project is moving forward. They are working on a remediation plan to address the potential ground water contamination and utility poles in the alley. The Walgreens Building on Bryn Mawr is under construction. 1100 W. Bryn Mawr (Nookies) is undergoing an environmental study and remediation plan to address the dry-cleaning residue underneath the building. The Annoyance Theatre, a high-end Indian restaurant, and Silver Cloud Restaurant will occupy the Helig-Meyer Building on Broadway. Crewbar is now open. The owner/developer of the Uptown Theatre building has ordered a critical inspection of the exterior structure. The planned-unit development project behind the Alderman's office is starting construction. The sales office with sample model unit amenities will be set up just north of the Alderman's office. Governor Blagojevich signed into effect the liquor license for Big Chicks/Tweet. Alderman Smith will meet with Arnie Hutchins regarding the Renaissance 2010 Project in conjunction with Chicago Public Schools. Her goal is to ensure the schools in the 48th Ward get funding for the Early Childhood and Pre-Kindergarten education program (this is not Head Start) at Goudy School. Goudy School Campus construction has been halted until next Spring due to administrative roadblocks. The Broadway re-zoning/development planners are beginning to meet with the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce and surrounding block clubs. This is only a preliminary meeting. Once a preliminary plan is drawn up, it will be presented to the WZPC and go through the public process. Only designated voters for each block club will get to have a voice. Alderman Smith has introduced to City Council a temporary block for the down-zoning of all buildings on Clark St. in Andersonville (from Victoria to Ainslie). This will be held in committee and all new permits will be held "pending" until the community has a chance to review the zoning.

A proposal was presented by Ivan and Steve Misetic, owners of 5775-81 N. Ridge, to change the zoning from B2-2 to B4-2 to allow a theater to occupy two storefronts. The theater would need a public place of amusement license and a Special Use permit for required off-site parking. The Griffin Theatre may want to use this space for performances. The motion was approved 14-0.

IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY UPDATE:

The shooting at Foster Ave. Beach in the past two weeks is considered an isolated incident. The police department has ordered more drug & gang task force presence in that area on a temporary basis. The murder at 6214 N. Winthrop is still under investigation although it is being reported as a domestic dispute involving drugs. The police are asking that all community members who are calling 911 to report an emergency incident be as accurate as possible (give exact nature of the incident, detailed location and (optionally) a phone number for them to call you back).

LIQUOR LICENSE MORATORIUM MAP:

There was continued discussion of the Liquor License Moratorium map. After much community input, there have been minor changes. This moratorium still needs to meet the legal requirements and only affects applications for new packaged goods and tavern licenses only.