East Village Association General Membership Meeting Minutes
7 PM July 11, 2007, Happy Village Tavern
Submitted by John Sekowski
Attendance: Members: 15 Non-members:1
1. Guest Speaker was Kara Salgado from the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Salgado spoke on
what the organization does including promoting new businesses and retaining existing businesses. They hold
newtworking events on a monthly basis, they represent members needs to city and state officials, and organize shopping
events. West Fest is August 11th and 12th on Chicago Avenue and Craft Fair on Division Street on September
15th and 16th. East Village Association can possibly receive donations in exchange for help at the fest and can possibly
have a booth.
2. June meeting minutes were approved.
3. Greg Nagel volunteered to be the liaison for the 27th Ward, (the east section of East Village).
4. Treasurer reported that there is $1,405 in the account.
5. Membership is currently at approximately 56 memberships.
6. The parking deck along Chicago Avenue is now gone.
7. Neighborhood businessman, Phil McFarland, owner of Lava Lounge and Small Bar, announced the opening of his
new venture Piccolo, an Italian gelato and lunch place at 859 North Damen.
8. Scott Rappe of the zoning committee suggested that we adopt the same zoning review procedure as the 32nd
Ward uses.
9. The zoning committee stated concern for the development of now vacant formerly Pizza Hut building at the SW
corner of Division and Ashland. See item 4. Board Meeting Minutes below.
10. Mr. Nagel reported one up-zoning request, one curb-cut, and two incidental liquor licenses requests from result of
his Aldermanic visits.
11. The rest of the meeting was about organizing the annual Bar-B-Q. Phil McFarland offered to print up the flyers.
Greg Nagel offered to ask Dominick’s for food donations. Julie and Guy also offered help.
12. Meeting adjourned.
East Village Association Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
6:30 PM July 16, 2007, Happy Village Tavern
Submitted by John Sekowski transcribed from Carolina Cartagena’s notes.
1. The issuance of the newsletter was discussed that electronic issues will definitely
be issued monthly, and the printed newsletter to be physically printed and mailed
and distributed quarterly or every other month.
2. The board generally agreed to adopt the same zoning review procedure as the Ward 32nd uses
as suggested by Mr. Rappe.
3. The board generally agreed to support the preservation of St. Boniface, a currently abandoned
church on the east side of East Village (Alderman Burnett).
4. Mr. Rappe has written a letter to Alderman Manny of the 1st ward discussing concerns for the development
of now vacant formerly Pizza Hut building. A developer plans to build a Walgreens in
its place. The concern is that a non-vernacular, stand-alone, one-story, single-tenant, prototype
building may be built which may not contribute to the character of an established urban neighborhood.
Its proximity to the CTA train stop and the Polish Triangle plaza makes this lot a focal point
for the neighborhood. A multi-story, mixed-use building of substantial architecture that will compliment
the likes of the MB bank building across the street would be more welcomed.
5. The rest of the meeting was about organizing the annual Bar-B-Q.
Submitted by John Sekowski
Attendance: Members: 15 Non-members:1
1. Guest Speaker was Kara Salgado from the West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Salgado spoke on
what the organization does including promoting new businesses and retaining existing businesses. They hold
newtworking events on a monthly basis, they represent members needs to city and state officials, and organize shopping
events. West Fest is August 11th and 12th on Chicago Avenue and Craft Fair on Division Street on September
15th and 16th. East Village Association can possibly receive donations in exchange for help at the fest and can possibly
have a booth.
2. June meeting minutes were approved.
3. Greg Nagel volunteered to be the liaison for the 27th Ward, (the east section of East Village).
4. Treasurer reported that there is $1,405 in the account.
5. Membership is currently at approximately 56 memberships.
6. The parking deck along Chicago Avenue is now gone.
7. Neighborhood businessman, Phil McFarland, owner of Lava Lounge and Small Bar, announced the opening of his
new venture Piccolo, an Italian gelato and lunch place at 859 North Damen.
8. Scott Rappe of the zoning committee suggested that we adopt the same zoning review procedure as the 32nd
Ward uses.
9. The zoning committee stated concern for the development of now vacant formerly Pizza Hut building at the SW
corner of Division and Ashland. See item 4. Board Meeting Minutes below.
10. Mr. Nagel reported one up-zoning request, one curb-cut, and two incidental liquor licenses requests from result of
his Aldermanic visits.
11. The rest of the meeting was about organizing the annual Bar-B-Q. Phil McFarland offered to print up the flyers.
Greg Nagel offered to ask Dominick’s for food donations. Julie and Guy also offered help.
12. Meeting adjourned.
East Village Association Board of Directors Meeting Minutes
6:30 PM July 16, 2007, Happy Village Tavern
Submitted by John Sekowski transcribed from Carolina Cartagena’s notes.
1. The issuance of the newsletter was discussed that electronic issues will definitely
be issued monthly, and the printed newsletter to be physically printed and mailed
and distributed quarterly or every other month.
2. The board generally agreed to adopt the same zoning review procedure as the Ward 32nd uses
as suggested by Mr. Rappe.
3. The board generally agreed to support the preservation of St. Boniface, a currently abandoned
church on the east side of East Village (Alderman Burnett).
4. Mr. Rappe has written a letter to Alderman Manny of the 1st ward discussing concerns for the development
of now vacant formerly Pizza Hut building. A developer plans to build a Walgreens in
its place. The concern is that a non-vernacular, stand-alone, one-story, single-tenant, prototype
building may be built which may not contribute to the character of an established urban neighborhood.
Its proximity to the CTA train stop and the Polish Triangle plaza makes this lot a focal point
for the neighborhood. A multi-story, mixed-use building of substantial architecture that will compliment
the likes of the MB bank building across the street would be more welcomed.
5. The rest of the meeting was about organizing the annual Bar-B-Q.
