OhSoWe tool sharing gears up; Marshfield parking queues up
Chuck Templeton, OhSoWe.com
President's welcome
President Greg Nagel opened the East Village Association's Monday meeting with a discussion of the just concluded 1st Ward hearing on Chicago Avenue pedestrian street zoning. EVA has been seeking a consistent public process to solicit neighborhood input before proposing ordinances.
OhSoWe.com
Guest speaker Chuck Templeton described the site he co-founded to connect neighbors and encourage conservation. Neighborhood groups have joined the site in Chicago, San Francisco and Providence, R.I.
Members are identified by first name, last initial and proximity. They can request confidentially to borrow tools or use skills of nearby members. A system will be added to rate satisfaction with borrowers or service providers, Templeton said. Nagel noted that the site allows EVA members to circulate fliers within the group.
Planning, preservation & development
Update on Ashland & Division: Marshfield Avenue residents and developer Rob Buono are invited to the 6:30pm Jan. 16 EVA board meeting to address parking at the apartment tower planned for 1601-15 W. Division St., planning committee co-chair Scott Rappe said.
Buono's presentation to the committee indicates one parking space for every three apartments. That's consistent with the location at a Blue Line hub. However, Aaron Bilton suggested that high-end apartment tenants would own cars nonetheless.
Miller Lumber: The committee also has reviewed what Rappe called a trial balloon for development of the L. Miller & Sons lumber warehouse at 1815 W. Division St. An apartment building one story taller than the Prasino restaurant at 1846 W. Division would have 52 units, compared with 18 allowed under current zoning. Reviewers found the density and parking allowances inappropriate for the site, which faces LaSalle II school's entrance and lacks the Polish Triangle's transit access.
Red Apple: Nagel said EVA will go on the record against a liquor license for Red Apple Convenience Store, 2000 W. Chicago Ave. The 32nd Ward office is researching the legal status of curbside pickup.
Police station closing update: Discovery of asbestos in the demolition of the new station-house site will delay closing of the 13th District station at 937 N. Wood St.
CAPS
Anne Shaw said she is seeking assurances that redrawn beat maps will maintain the neighborhood's police presence. A rally earlier in the day sought better security for streets near the Congress Theater, 2135 N Milwaukee Ave, after a New Year's Eve assault.
New business
Winchester traffic: Roots Handmade Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave., will extend an agreement to close sidewalk cafe and large windows an hour earlier. Deliveries continue to be an issue, as the loading zone and alley are often parked in.
Board of Review: Property tax appeals close Jan. 20 and can be filed online at cookcountyboardofreview.com, Bilton said. The 1st Ward will sponsor a tax workshop Jan. 12 at Haas Park.
Ward redistricting: At Jan. 11 hearing on competing ward maps, EVA will ask for boundaries that do not split East Village.
Jan. 9, 2011 minutes: East Village Association membership meeting at Commercial Club Park, 1845 W. Rice St., submitted by Stephen Rynkiewicz. Called to order 7:18 pm, adjourned 8:48. Board members attending: Greg Nagel, Neal McKnight, Aaron Bilton, Scott Rappe, Stephen Rynkiewicz, Tom Tomek. Attendees included Rich Anselmo, Marjorie Isaacson, Molly Murray, Anne Shaw, Chuck Templeton, others.
