Ward Zoning and Planning Committee Meeting: 9/29/04
WARD UPDATE:
Greg Harris, Chief of Staff, gave the ward report in Mary Ann Smith's absence. Alderman Smith's health is improving and she is planning to attend the next WZPC meeting. There were no new development proposals on the agenda.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Senn High School is in the proposal stage to introduce an intensive, college preparatory Naval Academy program. The Chicago Police Department and military branches would work with current teachers at the school to launch this new program. This program will help students gain early credit if they choose to go into the military but it is not a requirement. The Board of education is meeting on October 5th at 6:30 p.m. at Senn High School to further discuss this program.
The Margate Park Playlot dedication is tentatively scheduled for mid-October. The Edgewater Art Walk is 10/9-10/10. On October 9th, the Dominick's on Broadway will hold a garage sale to benefit Breast Cancer Awareness. Items for donation will be accepted. The Brother Mark Elder Mural which will be located at Argyle/Winthrop is having a fundraising drive at Sun Wah, 1134 W. Argyle Street, on October 28th from 6-9 p.m. The cost is $20/person to help fund the mural project. The new zoning ordinances go into effect on November 1, 2004. It is available on-line at the City of Chicago's website under the Department of Zoning. In late October, Marine Drive will be re-surfaced. Announcements will be posted ahead of time to affected residents.
ON-GOING PROJECTS:
4840 N. Broadway is still in progress. The Annoyance Theatre will begin their build-out very soon. The VAI parking lot owners are planning a meeting with the Uptown Chamber of Commerce, Uptown Neighborhood Council, surrounding block clubs to discuss the future of this lot. Meeting date t.b.a. 1515 W. Victoria is in the appeal process due to it's building permits not complying to the down-zoning. Sheridan Road residential properties will be undergoing a "life-safety" evaluation for all high-rise buildings (80 feet or higher) to ensure fire safety for all residents. Commercial buildings will be required to have sprinklers. Residential buildings may be required to have fire-safe doors installed in all of the stairwells which could be quite costly. More information to follow regarding this matter. A $60,000 grant from Governor Blagojevich will be used to hire URSTPAP, a consulting firm, to pinpoint zoning issues on Broadway and Clark street. They will be giving preliminary presentations to the leadership committee, the affected block clubs and community in the 48th Ward. The goal is to decide what types of buildings will best fit onto these streets based on current zoning.
The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. at Alderman Smith's office.