Ward Zoning and Planning Committee Meeting: 3/30/05
The Alderman reported on the VAI parking lot in the Argyle Winmore block club. She stated that a committee has been developed to study how the parking lot will be developed. Below is more info from the Argyle Winmore Block Club on a meeting they had on the parking lot.
Last week, our Block Club Board met with the Vietnamese Association of Illinois (VAI) regarding the development of the parking lot on Winthrop just north of Argyle Street. The VAI has not yet proposed any particular development. Instead, they have hired consultants to discuss with us, and all the other interested organization in our area, our requests in order to develop an understanding of what each group would like to see on this property. We met with consultant Jim Capraro, Director of the Greater SW Development Corp, and his associate, Joel Bookman.
We spent the greater part of an hour thoroughly discussing our concerns and expectations. In summary, we relayed our request to have market rate housing developed on this site as well as incorporating parking that is vitally needed for the Argyle business district. As many of you know first hand, the parking and traffic situation on Argyle Street is horrible. We cannot lose the available parking altogether. We need balance on that particular block and any plan should incorporate both housing and parking.
The VAI and its consultants are meeting with the other organizations to discuss there concerns and hopefully, a plan that is acceptable to everyone will be reached. I will keep you informed.
All funding and approvals are in place for the "Cop Cams" to be installed at Winthrop and Granville, Winthrop and Thorndale and Winthrop and Argyle. Greg Harris, chief of staff, explained that the last step to their installation was coordinating the infrastructure (the cables and wires to make the cameras work and send video to the police station). He said that this is being worked on and should be set and ready to go in about a month… just in time for the warm weather.
Greg Harris gave an update on the Broadway zoning study. URS has completed their draft study on Broadway and the possible impact of -2 and -3 zoning designations. The draft was provided to all committee members for their review and comment. A meeting of the Broadway Leadership Group will be held so that the consultants can get their comments on the draft and then prepare their final version of the study.
Greg Harris gave an update on The Clark Street study which will be conducted by the Urban Land Institute and the Metropolitan Planning Council. They will look at the Clark Street retail development including the Andersonville area and the North Clark Street area.
Greg Harris explained the difference between the two studies. The Broadway study documents what buildings and businesses are on Broadway. It also looks at what businesses could locate to and what buildings could be built on Broadway under the current zoning and under different zoning scenarios. This study will not make any recommendations; it will only provide information on the Broadway conditions, what the current zoning allows and what different zoning scenarios would allow. This study will then be used by the Broadway Leadership Group to come up with a development plan for Broadway in the 48th Ward. The Clark Street study will do basically the same thing, but will also provide recommendations on how Clark Street should be further developed.
The conversion of a courtyard building at 5874-84 North Ridge to condominiums was approved. The proposal included tearing down a 4 flat next to the property to provide parking for the condominiums. The units are 1200 sq. ft to1300 sq. ft. 2 bed 1 bath for $300,000 and 850 sq. ft. to 1000 sq. ft. 1 bed 1 bath for $249,000 to $279,000.
Joe Trendl, who lives on Winona, has volunteered to be our new Carmen Winona Block Club zoning rep to the 48th Ward Zoning and Planning Committee. He will attend the meetings from now on and provide us all with the meeting minutes. Thanks Joe for volunteering.
The next meeting is scheduled for April 27, 2005.