Ward Zoning and Planning Committee Meeting: 4/25/07

Alderman Smith began the meeting with a few short announcements:

• She described several of the Earth Day events that were held in the 48th ward and their overall success.
• She pointed out that according to the crime statistics the area still remains the safest in the city.
• She attended a CTA Brown Line meeting. She found that the work on the Brown Line was shaking out many of the problems, foreseen and unforeseen, that may also apply to the upcoming work on the Red Line. The hope is that by the time the work does begin on the Red Line, knowledge gained from the Brown Line will help the Red Line work proceed more smoothly and at a quicker pace.
• The CTA is imbedding more technology into the system, including new sound-baffling techniques.
• The holders of city-wide offices recently elected will be sworn in on May 21, 2007.
• With the new term, MAS is asking for suggestions on improvements and/or additions to Z&P process. “We are very good at the zoning issues, perhaps a little lacking in the planning process. We would like some input or thoughts on an idea to develop a sub-committee of neighborhood experts (architects and the like) to review and evaluate projects prior to their showing at Z&P. We would like to see a greater strength in planning and prioritizing projects in the area.” With planning in mind, MAS asked that we reach out to our communities and ask for a list of up to 10 things you would like to see happen in the community. [If you are interested, please forward your comments to me using joseph@trendl.net for inclusion in next month’s meeting. Some examples brought up were: more/better restaurants, more gay bars, more streetscape projects, and more streetscape work on Argyle.]
• With warmer weather approaching, the topic of bicycles using the sidewalks was brought up. Specifically, on Sheridan north of Foster, there is a decided lack of respect for pedestrians using the sidewalks. Be careful and vigilant. Please call 911 to report any incidents with pedestrians and unfriendly bikers. Does anyone have ideas that might lessen the sidewalk bike traffic and slow down the speed of the bikers?
• MAS is still anticipating that red-light ticketing will be installed soon at the Foster/Sheridan intersection.
• Nookies has finally closed on the property on Bryn Mawr and is pulling permits for their business.

The first agenda item was a proposal for a special use for a beauty and day spa at 5642 N Broadway. Special use must be granted if a hair salon or other personal care establishment is located within 1000 feet of any other such facility. The request was made by Mariana Singer, owner/operator. Edgewater Chamber made it be known it was against the shop. BARGE approved it and ECC abstained on the matter. A motion was called to approve the establishment and its request; it was seconded and the final vote was 16 yes, 2 no, 6 abstentions. Carmen-Winona abstained as it was out of our jurisdiction.

The 2nd agenda item was the Affordable Housing Proposal. Originally, it was stated at the March meeting that it would not be necessary to take a stand on what is now commonly called the Mayor’s Proposal, since it in fact is what the 48th Ward already has in place with its CPAN requirements. However a motion was called to reaffirm the Mayor’s proposal (in effect the policy of the 48th ward). It was seconded and the vote resulted in 20 yes, 4 no and 2 abstentions. Carmen-Winona cast a yes vote, upholding the community’s previous voice on the matter.

As to the amendments proposed to the Mayors Proposal (by BDC, Balanced Development Corp and advanced by ONE, Organization of the Northeast): a motion was made to amend the mayors proposal with the addition of a sliding scale element. Per the city’s calculation, the Average Median Income (AMI) for their use is $75,000 (this number is considered flawed by many, as it is calculated to include income from the north shore suburbs). It was pointed out that the actual AMI for our area is closer to $34,700. The motion therefore, was to try and more closely correlate the proposal with the more realistic median income of our residents. What was suggested was:

• 1/3 for those who qualify at 100% of AMI ($75,000)
• 1/3 for those who qualify at 80% of AMI
• 1/3 for those who qualify at 60% of AMI

A further discussion ensued with points raised on both sides, and the motion was then seconded. The vote to uphold the amendmment to the Mayor’s Proposal was: 10 pro, 12 against, 8 abstentions. The motion failed and MAS is directed to cast her vote for the Mayor’s Proposal at City Council, without amendments. Carmen-Winona voted against the amendments due to majority opinion reflected back to me (as requested in the March meeting minutes and follow up emails requesting community input).