By Ed Lowe
Senior Writer
The long standing controversy in two Lincoln Park neighborhoods concerning the designation of those areas as landmarks is finally coming to a conclusion. Beginning last summer, a series of community and block meetings have been held by Ald. Vi Daley (43rd) and Ald. Ted Matlak (32nd) to determine property owners' interest in having this designation applied to their homes. Many of the meetings were also attended by Brian Goeken who works for the City's Department of Planning and Development in its landmark division. Goeken attended the meeting to supply background information.
In ancient Common Law, owners of property possessed what were called "a bundle of rights." These rights allowed the control of the property, within certain prescribed limits, by the owner. Each of the rights had a value and each represented a portion of the property's worth. The right to alter a structure, to improve it or to change its appearance is one of those rights that date back to the 12th century or earlier. The City's landmarking statutes do not accord any value for these rights. In effect, homeowners were being asked to cede the right to change their property to the City and to receive no compensation for this action.
After conducting these meetings and hearing from constituents, Ald. Matlak sent a letter, obtained by Inside, which was addressed to Goeken. In part, the letter stated: "There is overwhelming opposition to the landmarking of this district by the homeowners. In light of this opposition and the continued rebuilding of this area, I cannot now or in the future support a landmark district here."
The specific 32nd Ward area referred to by Matlak includes the 2100 blocks of N. Kenmore Ave., N. Seminary Ave., N. Clifton Ave. and N. Racine Ave.
Matlak went on to say: "I do not believe that landmarking this district would be a viable option in any part of the Sheffield area that falls within my Ward." In a concession to those who favored landmarking, Matlak indicated that he would be supportive of giving assistance should they decide to landmark their own property.
Ald. Daley has ruled out supporting landmarking in her Ward as well. In a Feb. 28th letter addressed to property owners, she reviewed her action to determine public interest and either popular support or opposition to landmarking within the 43rd Ward. Daley stated: "I sponsored a series of meetings to discuss this issue with individual homeowners on 25 blocks in this area.
"I promised that I would not move forward with any landmark proposal without a majority of support from homeowners. While many residents share concerns for preserving the historic character of the neighborhood, most blocks in the Sheffield and RANCH areas have indicated that they do not support pursuing landmark status. Therefore, I am not proposing landmark designation for the Sheffield Historic District."
According to Daley, four blocks within the area indicated that there was some support for landmarking. Ald. Daley's aide Chuck Eastwood told Inside that there would be additional meetings in four blocks—specifically the 800 block of W. Belden Ave., the 2100 block of N. Bissell St. and the 2100 and 2200 blocks of N. Fremont St.
Eastwood said that the response to calls for meetings in those blocks had been limited and that Daley wanted to get a more representative attendance at meetings before reaching a final decision on those four blocks. She said, "I will continue discussions with these homeowners." Eastwood assured Inside that no ordinance relating to the four remaining questionable blocks had been introduced.
Daley, who seems to favor the landmarking designation, has said that its strength lies in its regulations governing demolition and visible alternations of historic buildings and the character of new infill construction. "At the block meetings, someone would invariably appeal for an alternative that would discourage demolitions and encourage compatible design for new construction without all the rules of landmark designation," Daley said. Daley is on record as saying that individual designations of a few properties would not ensure the preservation of the entire neighborhood or the historic streetscapes of our community.
Attorney Dee Grant, who heads an organization opposed to landmarking, was elated by the developments. Her group, VOCAL (Voters and Citizens Against Landmarking) has spearheaded recruitment of people to alert neighbors regarding meetings and plans for landmarking specific blocks. When told of the developments, Grant said, "I'm thrilled that the growth and dynamic nature of Lincoln Park will not be stifled by the imposition of bureaucratic mandates.
"This is a victory for property owners. The Halsted-Armitage District was land marked in spite of opposition by 90 percent of the property owners. Not landmarking areas of Lincoln Park will help the neighborhood grow without undesirable control from City Hall." |
