Ward Zoning and Planning Committee Meeting: 6/27/07

Alderman Smith was not in attendance and the meeting was headed by Doug Fraser, Chief of Staff. He opened with brief mention of few points: the Goudy Campus Park dedication, the Cedar Play Lot dedication, and the fact that school test scores have risen in the 48th Ward. Doug said he wanted to keep it short because the Hollywood Sheridan TIF was the agenda item of the evening. Concurrent with that was a proposal to vote on the establishment of a TIF Oversight Committee.

Outside the Ward office were some 30 or so seniors from the Hollywood House gathered to support the idea of keeping it open through use of the TIF. One resident of the house, Mr. Gene Hocker, spoke on the attributes of the senior residence for approximately 2 minutes.

The current owners, the Hellenic Foundation, admitted to a vacancy problem. Approximately 25% of the units are vacant because they do not meet the standards needed in today’s market and are not rentable.

A motion was raised and seconded to vote on the establishment of an oversight committee. The vote was 44 yes, 2 no and 2 abstentions; Carmen Winona voted yes.

More discussion ensued and then a second motion was brought forward and seconded to vote on whether or not to unbundle the Hollywood House from its tether to the TIF. The motion was an attempt to vote on the TIF and the Hollywood House as two separate issues. The motion failed as the vote cast was 9 yes to separate, 31 no and 8 abstentions. Carmen Winona voted to no to the separation.

The final motion, to pass the Hollywood Sheridan TIF with the Hollywood House, was raised and seconded. The vote was 39 yes, 8 no and 4 abstentions. Carmen Winona voted to pass in accordance with the directive of the Block Club vote on 6-20-07. Carmen Winona also asked that our vote be presented with a statement that the oversight committee find a way to use some TIF funds to help with McCutcheon School. I presented that document to Doug Fraser. I was also asked that the Uptown side of the 48th Ward have some representation on the Oversight Committee: I presented this also to Doug Fraser to be part of the record.

The 2nd agenda item was for alley access approval for a new development at 5018 N Kenmore (across the street from the Temple). This is a double lot of width 100 feet that would contain two adjoined 6-unit buildings. Alley access was needed for parking off the alley for 6 cars. Argyle Winmore, where this development lies, asked that in exchange for approval of the alley access that the developer not build the building with 3 sides of split-faced cinder block but rather have it all face bricked. The developer agreed to the concession and a vote was taken to approve alley access. There were 20 yes votes, 3 no and 4 abstentions. Carmen Winona voted in alignment with Argyle Winmore.

The meeting adjourned at 8:40pm.