Ward Zoning and Planning Committee Meeting: 2/22/06

Mary Ann Smith was in attendance to give the Alderman's update. She began by thanking everyone in the various associations and block clubs for the hard work on the re-zoning of Broadway. To date only 1 unnamed block club has yet to send it's petition letter to the ward office on its stance as to whether Broadway will be zoned B-1 or B-3. The idea was suggested that Broadway be designated a pedestrian street which would limit the number of curb cuts etc that can be built onto the street; the idea is to be forward thinking on what Broadway can become and not merely be looking at what it is now. There was also a suggestion of creating an overlay district as the thinking is the zoning for the area is dated. This would enforce height restrictions and limitations on Broadway buildings and the city seems to like the idea and is going to be working closely with the organizations and block clubs. As Alderman Smith stated, "Community effort matters."

However there will be nothing happening with the re-zoning for Broadway until after the upcoming March elections. There is a referendum vote in some of the neighboring precincts that will help decide the shape of the new zoning.

Ald. Smith is now working closely with Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) on a suggestion to help with traffic flow and overly zealous drivers in the area. The suggestion is the use of Automatic Red Light Ticketing. What the program is essentially, is camera enforced regulation. If a vehicle goes through a red light the camera is triggered and a snapshot is taken of the license plate and also the driver. A ticket for the offence is automatically generated. The initial proposed locations are the intersections of Ardmore & Sheridan; Hollywood & Sheridan; Foster & Sheridan and Bryn Mawr & Broadway. Still in the talking/negotiation stages, so no news on installation dates.

In addition to the Red Light ticketing there is much conversation about trying to reestablish parkways as a safety measure for pedestrians. The Alderman noted that in the interest of vehicular traffic, many of the parkways were removed and paved to widen roadways in the area. She then brought up the Admiral in this context saying that "with the expansion of this elderly home and the thousands of pedestrians walking to and from the lake down Foster, a parkway would be a good idea. Ald. Smith also pointed out that studies have shown that streets with the least amount of traffic tend to be a friendlier environment for the community of neighbors.

Many of the parks in the area are being worked on or are being scheduled to have some work/upgrades. She mentioned Gowdy School in this area and also the Buttercup lot on Sheridan with the remainder in Edgewater.

The Alderman is continuing her work with Senn High School. She is looking for people to input their ideas in letter form to her attention as to what the public would like to see at Senn. As an example, do people want the school to have more chemistry labs, or possibly more arts concentration? No idea at this point is too big or too small and these will be compiled along with student and teacher suggestions. All letters must be submitted to the ward office by June 1, 2006.

There was a rash of gang violence (male and female) around Thorndale & Greenview. Gangs have beaten pedestrians and in 1 case it was mentioned that the violence was being treated as a hate crime, but no further explanations were offered. As a result of this recent activity Senn H.S. will have security cameras installed surrounding its exterior perimeter, no date of install was mentioned.

On the same camera note, the "Cop Cams" will be installed the Alderman said, at Thorndale & Winthrop and Argyle & Winthrop in March of this year. She noted that these are movable and that some sites along Granville were also being looked into for future placement.

The library committee has raised enough funds to erect a 2 story library with Graham Grady heading the project. The Alderman noted that Mr. Grady is a local resident and much liked and respected in the ward.

There was an update on the Alderman's work in the anti-cruelty area, specifically regarding elephants. She was in Nashville last week to tour an elephant sanctuary. The elephant issue comes before the city committee Thursday 2/23/06.

All of the landscaping work has been agreed to by the area block clubs for Senn H.S., and the West Campus work will be done this year with landscaping to be put in sometime in the fall.

Ald. Smith introduced legislation to allow for street parking along Ridge Road except for morning and afternoon rush hours. She is also looking into the installation of pedestrian meridians on Broadway. These will be islands for pedestrians and not for planters. With all the current activity, the traffic on Sheridan is being looked into also but is on the backburner for now. No specifics were given as to what sections of Sheridan are being examined.

Last, there was a proposal to be voted on for the building of two 8-unit condominium buildings at 6159 and 6161 N Kenmore. The developer is Jim Ronan. The vote was to obtain a rear yard exception from 45 sq feet to 34. Also alley access. The units in the 2 buildings will consist of a mixture of 3 bedroom units of 2000 square feet and simplex units of 1750 square feet. The area organizations in attendance (NEBA and ECC Planning & Development) agreed to the projects and the requests. A motion was made to accept the proposals, seconded and the vote was 17 favorable, none opposed and 2 abstentions.