By Jim Sterne
News Editor
Topping the agenda of the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce at their monthly meeting today will be the downzoning of Lincoln Square.
An application for rezoning is hanging on the lamp post at the corner of Leland and Lincoln avenues. "Case A-5171 on April 9 has been submitted for downzoning from B2-2 to B3-1 for 4700 N. Lincoln Ave. Posting must occur not less than five days after filing and removed within three days after a public hearing. For further information inquiries are to be addressed to Ald. Schulter's (47th) office."
Letters from the City's zoning commission have not been sent to two property owners in the 4700 block of Lincoln Ave. Inside talked to two who are concerned that the downzoning includes their property.
Christine Lusher, owner of Salamander shoes, 4740 N. Lincoln Ave., said, "I would like to know the reasons for the change in zoning. The alderman should have a meeting with the property owners to discuss this issue. I'm a retailer and I might see things differently."
"We should have a voice," said Klaus Koetke owner of Delicatessen Meyer, 4750 N. Lincoln Ave. "I really don't know much about it and I haven't received a letter. Property owners should be notified of any changes so we can give our opinion. We're the ones paying the taxes and we shouldn't be run over rough-shod."
Pete Scales of the Office of Planning and Development said that the area for consideration is on the east side of Lincoln Ave. from Leland Ave. to Giddings Plaza. "I don't know the reason but it would seem it has to do with usage," Scales said.
Jeanne Uzdawinis, owner of Cafe' Selmarie but not the building, said she saw the sign and called Ald. Gene Schulter (47th) on Friday, May 2. "He told me that the downzooning would be from Leland to Giddings Plaza on the east side of the street," she said. "The public meeting hasn't been scheduled yet."
"We want the community to have a voice," Schulter said. "If we don't rezone, people can build whatever they like. We are not against developers but the community should know what will be built. The new B3-1 designation means that the first floor is exclusively retail and only one story of residential can be built above."
Some people feel that building high-rises will increase the number of people and increase the number of customers for local businesses. Schulter disputed that notion, although he agreed a high rise would be beneficial if there were no business in the area in the first place.
"We have a strong successful business community. Making Lincoln Ave. into a canyon where there would be no parking would not help local business. Schulter stressed that these measures address the quality of life in Lincoln Square. He said that if four or five stories of residential were allowed, there would be traffic problems and soon people would not come to the neighborhood because of the congestion.
"This new zoning designation means, basically, that if someone wants to build a high rise they will have to get a variance, go through the proper procedures with public oversight and community meetings, so the community will know and agree on what is being built." Schulter said the public zoning meeting will be scheduled for sometime in June. |
